East African leather industries to get EU support
A European Union funded initiative is investing €40 million in East African agribusiness, with leather among those to benefit.
EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) aims to support enhanced regional and international trade in partnership with the East African Business Council, business support organisations and local institutions.
Christine Grau, ambassador of the EU to the EAC, said: "MARKUP II demonstrates the EU's commitment to supporting East African companies, fostering sustainable growth and creating decent job opportunities."
Peter Mathuki, secretary general of the EAC, added: “About 700 enterprises, specifically micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the region were supported through MARKUP phase I to improve their business operations and export.
"International transactions worth more than $10 million were generated and MSMEs accessed finances worth $9 million.”
The East African Community (EAC) is made up of The Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
