The East African Business Council has elected Mr Econie Nijimbere from Burundi as its new Chairman for the period of 2016-2017. The Burundian is taking over from Mr Dennis Karera, who served at that capacity from the year 2015. Mr. Econie is also currently serving as the President of Burundi Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CFCIB).
He has over 16 years of experience in the private sector, from 2010 to the present. He has also served as President of the Burundi Manufacturers Association as well as Board Member of the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR).
In his acceptance speech, during the council annual general meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, Mr Nijimbera thanked the outgoing Chairman Mr Karera and the Executive Committee for a job well done and the progress made so far.
He outlined key areas that his tenure will focus on implementation of the EABC Strategic Plan 2015/18; extensive advocacy on issues outlined in our EABC Policy Advocacy Agenda document that aims at addressing key sectoral and cross cutting trading policy challenges as well as highlighting gaps and discrepancies in the implementation of the East African Community Customs Union and Common Market Protocols which are hindering East Africans from enjoying advantages presented by East African Community Integration and the wider EAC Common Market.
