The East African Community Development Strategy 2001-2005

The second East African Development Strategy covering the years 2001 - 2005 succeeds the first Strategy which was launched in 1997 covering the period of 4 years, 1997 - 2000. The first Development Strategy formed the basis of the Treaty for the the Establishment of the East African Community. During the implementation of this Strategy many lessons were learnt in the process of developing policies and implementing regional programmes. The most outstanding achievement was the coming into force of the Treaty which transformed the East African Co-operation into a Community. The second Strategy, therefore, takes into account the experience gained during the implementation of the previous one, the provisions of the Treaty, the implications of globalization on the intensification of competition and the influence of the position of the EAC in the world market. The Development Strategy sets out the priority programmes to be implemented during the period 2001-2005. The priority programmes are in line with the the broad goal of the EAC, which is widening and deepening of co-operation in all areas for the mutual benefit of the Partner States. The vision of regional integration in East Africa is to create wealth, raise the living standards of all people of East Africa and enhance international competitiveness of the region. These will be achieved through increased production, trade and investments into the region.