World
World Bank and partners announce new global fund for cybersecurity
On 16 August 2021, the World Bank announced the launch of a new Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund under the broader Digital Development Partnership (DDP) umbrella programme. The new fund aims to better define and systematically roll out the cybersecurity development agenda, helping to ensure a more substantial reflection of cybersecurity considerations across World Bank programmes and financing. The work programme will support the development of global knowledge on cybersecurity solutions for low- and middle-income countries. It will fund country maturity assessments, offer technical assistance, and support training and capacity development for cybersecurity staff in World Bank client countries. The launch of the trust fund is made possible with donor contributions from Estonia, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands.
Source: World Bank
East Africa
EAC secretary general urges private sector to take advantage of bilateral engagements between partner states to unlock trade barriers
The East African Community (EAC) secretary general, Dr Peter Mathuki, is urging the private sector to take advantage of the ongoing bilateral engagements between partner states, to promptly resolve trade disputes so as to increase trade among EAC partner states. Dr Mathuki further called upon the private sector to promptly harmonise their positions on trade agreements at the national level before engaging their counterparts in other partner states to fast track trade deliberations. “Regular consultations and dialogues within the national private sector bodies, is critical in building consensus within a Partner State. Divergent positions within a country will only delay in concluding trade deliberations at the regional level, further delaying implementation of regional trade policies,” said Dr Mathuki. Speaking during a CEOs engagement roundtable with business leaders in Arusha, that was convened by the East African Business Council (EABC), Dr Mathuki called upon the business community to push for public-private partnerships, citing the increased trade flows between Kenya and Tanzania, resulting from public and private bilateral dialogues in the recent months.
Source: EAC
East Africa
EAC, India ink deal to ease business
Traders from the East African Community (EAC) would benefit from faster clearance of their goods and lower costs of running their business following the signing of a Joint Action Plan between the EAC and the government of India. The Joint Action Plan will pave the way for a full Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between the two parties. The MRA once […]