Monthly Report: March - April 2012

FEAFFA is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and is a grantee of the USAID COMPETE program. The organization's main purpose is to promote the development of the freight forwarding industry in the region. FEAFFA's activities for the month of March-April 2012 focused on several key areas. The organization recruited a new accountant, Mr. Samuel Mbucho, who was hired on a short-term contract until September 30th, 2012. USAID COMPETE provided technical support to FEAFFA in the recruitment process. Job descriptions for two other positions, Transport Economist and Information Technology Officer, were developed, and the search for suitable recruits is underway to be completed in May 2012. FEAFFA also organized two regional retreats of technical experts from the revenue authorities and the freight forwarding industry to review the East African Customs and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate (EACFFPC) curriculum. The revised draft curriculum is awaiting ratification by the program's regional implementation committee in June 2012. Additionally, FEAFFA secured technical support from the Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) to review and develop organizational policy manuals. Draft manuals have been developed and are currently under review by FEAFFA. FEAFFA has also made significant progress in other areas. The organization published the first edition of the East African Freight Forwarders Directory, which is a one-stop source of information on clearing and freight forwarding operators in the region. The directory is expected to generate revenue towards the sustainability of the Federation. FEAFFA has also continued to utilize events organized by partners and stakeholders to raise awareness on the FEAFFA Code of Conduct. Copies of the code and other information materials were distributed, and more activities have been planned to launch the same in all other EAC countries at key border points. FEAFFA has also participated in several other activities, including the Corridor Performance Monitoring workshop by the World Bank and the Border Procedures Manual validation workshop for Tanzania. The organization has also produced the first quarter edition of the FEAFFA e-newsletter, which was circulated to all industry stakeholders in the region. FEAFFA has also commenced the process of accrediting the EACFFPC to the Federation Internationale des Associations de Transit et de Transport (FIATA). The process started in March 2012 with communication to FIATA, and the exercise requires submission of the EACFFPC curriculum to FEAFFA.