Monthly Report: August 2012

The organization is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is involved in various activities aimed at promoting trade facilitation and logistics development in the East African region. Development of EACFFPC training materials is one of the key activities undertaken by FEAFFA. The organization convened a meeting of experts in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, to draft training materials in areas such as Customs procedures, Tariff classification, Valuation, Rules of origin, Application of ICT, Port Clearance, and Freight forwarding Operations. The training materials are being developed in alignment with the recently adopted revised EACFFPC training curriculum. A follow-up workshop is scheduled to take place in Entebbe, Uganda, from September 3 to 7, 2012, with the aim of producing draft materials ready for validation by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Investment Committee (CIC) in October 2012. FEAFFA has also conducted an audit of its e-portal, which is an online trade facilitation tool that seeks to reduce the time it takes for clearing agents and shippers to access trade information. The audit identified challenges faced by clearing and forwarding agents in using the e-portal, and recommendations have been made to improve it. The exercise targeted secretariats of National associations and a few selected members. The organization has also finalized engagement of Efman communications to publish the second edition of the East African Freight Forwarders Directory. The directory is expected to be a one-stop source of information on all clearing agents and other actors in the logistics industry. Plans are underway to secure partners in Tanzania and Rwanda, with the directory expected to be out by the end of 2012. FEAFFA has been engaging with the Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) for support in the area of advocacy. The organization submitted a list of advocacy issues affecting the industry at the regional level, and a meeting was organized to discuss possible support. FEAFFA has proposed a regional meeting of clearing and forwarding industry to develop concurrence and consolidate the priority issues that will receive the support of TMEA. In addition, FEAFFA has developed popular versions of its policy manuals, which are being consolidated into one handbook. The organization has also contracted consultants to conduct studies and produce position papers on Customs Warehouse rent, Mutual recognition of Customs agent licenses, and Self regulation of Customs agents. FEAFFA would appreciate meeting all the consultants to ensure quality and strengthen ownership of the final products. Furthermore, FEAFFA is developing border clearance manuals for key borders in the EAC region. The organization introduced the consultant to the National associations and expects that work is ongoing. FEAFFA would appreciate a review of the reporting structure to get the secretariat more involved and accompany the consultants as understudy. FEAFFA has also reviewed the draft standard trading conditions (STCs) for freight forwarders and is submitting inputs towards finalization of the STCs. The organization participated in a meeting preparing the Road transporters to form a regional federation in Mombasa on August 31, 2012, and made an experience-sharing presentation titled "Opportunities, Experiences and Challenges of a EA Regional Federation of National Association: A case of FEAFFA".