Media Wire Express Correspondent
President Museveni is advocating an effective and operational larger East African Common Market to create wealth for its citizens and promote regional integration.
President Museveni emphasised the need for East Africa Community (EAC) citizens to move freely and trade in goods and services to build the region’s economy.
He cited four sectors, agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, and sports as key economic drivers that can be harnessed to create wealth within the EAC……“Because I can see many youth here, I want to leave you with a number of things: one is wealth. Where does it come from? The first is agriculture in business, second, manufacturing, services such as sports, tourism and fourthly use of computers or ICT,” he said.
“Agriculture, manufacturing and services are where wealth is created. However, all of these require a market. They need the Kenyan market, even though the Kenyan market alone is not enough. That is why we talk about EAC integration. Even as you get involved in sports, the youth in sports should pay attention to the EAC integration process and make use of its larger market.”
Also Read:WhatsApp to Discontinue Service on Older Devices
He was speaking on Thursday in Siaya, western Kenya, where he was the chief guest at the Piny Luo Cultural Festival.
President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, East Africa’s candidate for chairperson of the African Union Commission, also attended the event.
Museveni renewed his call for the removal of trade barriers within the region.
He said that the region remains poor because it has failed to convert subsistence farming into a commercially viable, large-scale farming to create wealth.
He pointed out that countries such as the US, which have strong economies due to large markets while their, Latin America neighbours, though possessing huge natural resources, remain poor because of lack of large markets.
“I’m a dairy farmer, but I need a market for my milk and bananas. The Ugandan market is not enough. That is why I’m telling you in East Africa to unite under the Common Market,” the head of state said.
