Apitrade Africa looks forward

Dorcas Zaizi, ApiTrade Africa, Kampala, Uganda

Our first full year was challenging but also rewarding for ApiTrade Africa. From the AGM held in Nairobi in March 2008, it was clear that many things needed to be done. Although the Secretariat was in charge of the co-ordination processes, we appreciate the contributions of each one of the ApiTrade members, namely the Executive Commitiee, founder members and those who joined throughout the year.

A number of recommendations were made at ApiExpo Africa held in Kampala in October 2008 aimed at strengthening ApiTrade Africa and ensuring that we achieve our objectives. Following these recommendations we have undertaken the following:

- Office premises have been acquired and the Secretariat relocated in January 2009. This means that UEPB, the Uganda Export Promotion Board, is no longer housing the Secretariat.

- We are planning our next AGM which had been proposed for Kigali, Rwanda, but is now planned for Kampala, Uganda, 2-4 April 2009.

- From 1 March 2009, Bosco Okello will be full-time CEO of the Secretariat.

- We are in the process of overhauling our website and intend to make it more interactive and client-orientated.

www.apitradeafrica.org