Arusha — STAKEHOLDERS from the distribution sector in the East African Community (EAC) region have gathered in Kenya, to discuss and tackle the challenges confronting the sector.
Among other objectives, the stakeholders seek to formulate a strategic action plan to address the barriers hindering the industry's growth and development.
The participants include stakeholders from the region's wholesale trade services, retailers and franchising sectors; representing public and private organisations, business associations, distribution firms and e-commerce platforms.
According to a statement posted on the EAC Secretariat website and signed by the Senior Public Relations Officer Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department Mr Simon Owaka, the forum marks the inaugural EAC Peer-to-Peer Learning Conference, which focuses on tackling key obstacles in the distribution sector, with particular attention on regulatory frameworks and growth strategies.
The conference, organised under the EU-EAC CORE programme, reviewed a diagnostic study on the region revealing that restrictive investment laws are impacting the entry and operations of wholesale and retail firms across EAC partner states.
The study identified major challenges ailing the sector such as; burdensome administrative requirements, weak links with local suppliers, high investor exit rates in the retail sector and insufficient industry skills.
The peer-to-peer learning approach aims to facilitate knowledge exchange between countries that have implemented successful reforms and foreign entities with advanced distribution practices, emphasising inventory management, skill enhancement and integration with local suppliers.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Director and Head of Regional Trade at Kenya's State Department of Trade Ms Elizabeth Miguda highlighted that the liberalisation of this sub-sector presents significant opportunities for entering new markets within the EAC.
"The efficiency of this sector is crucial for ensuring that consumers have access to a wide variety of goods and services at competitive prices. Enhanced efficiency and competition in the distribution system can lead to lower prices, as distribution margins significantly affect final product prices and help reduce price distortions," she said.
She also addressed the ongoing challenges within the sector. "The sector faces various issues such as fragmented regulatory obligations without a specific framework, which can foster anti-competitive practices. There is also a lack of business and management skills among entrepreneurs and insufficient digital skills to keep pace with the growing importance of online distribution channels," she noted.
Ms Miguda emphasised that streamlining the distribution process could improve resource allocation and better align supply with demand.
"This will reduce risks, lower costs, enhance quality and provide consumers with a wider range of products at competitive prices, thereby contributing to the sector's overall efficiency," she added.
Representing the EAC Secretary General, Ms Veronica Nduva, Ms Marie Angelique Umulisa, the Principal Trade Officer and Head of International Trade at the EAC Secretariat, underscored the significance of distribution services.
"Distribution services account for approximately 20 per cent of global services trade and play a critical role in enhancing efficiency, quality and economic contributions across other sectors," she said.
She stated that in the EAC region, these services contribute between 3 and 10 per cent to GDP, highlighting their essential role in economic development and employment.
"This conference serves as a crucial platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and progress," Ms Umulisa added.
She described the conference as an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders from the government, the business community and other sectors to share experiences and best practices.
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"Liberalising distribution services will enhance operational efficiency, create economies of scale and offer consumers better pricing, quality and a broader range of options," she noted.
Ms Umulisa further noted that addressing inefficiencies in distribution systems will enable consumers to fully benefit from liberalised trade in products and services, particularly through reduced costs and increased product diversity.
Key team behind the EU-EAC CORE programme pose for a picture during the conference.
The conference which concludes tomorrow, will offer an opportunity to facilitate knowledge exchange among countries with successful reforms and foreign entities with advanced distribution practices, focusing on inventory management, skill enhancement and local supplier integration.
