NORTHERN CORRIDOR STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTATIVE FORUM MEETS IN NAIROBI

A meeting of the Northern Corridor Stakeholders Consultative Forum was held on 7th May 2009 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya and was hosted by the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Mr. Michael Waweru, Commissioner General of Kenya Revenue Authority, who is also the Chairman of the Forum, opened the meeting. Participants included representatives of both the public and private sector agencies from the NCTTCA member states.
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THE SCOPING STUDY FOR THE NORTHERN CORRIDOR SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

The NCTTCA has with effect from 4th May 2009 launched the scoping study on the Northern Corridor Spatial Development Programme, following the signing of a contract for consultancy services between NCTTCA and INGEROP Africa Pty on 24th April 2009. The study is expected to be completed by the end of August 2009.

NCTTCA had as a start, gone ahead in 2005 to commission a study on Strategies and Action Plan for the transformation of the corridor into an Economic Development Corridor. The study which was carried out by Louis Berger / Bearing Point of USA was funded by USAID under the East and Central Africa Global Competitiveness Hub.
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KIBAKI SIGNS SHIPPING BILL INTO LAW

President Kibaki has signed the Merchant Shipping Act 2009 into law. The law is expected to transform Kenya's maritime industry to meet standards set by International Maritime Organization.

The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) director-general, Ms Nancy Karigithu, praised the move, saying that the new law will effectively regulate the industry that has been relying on 1967 legislation, which does not address key transformations.
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REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON NORTHERN CORRIDOR TRANSPORT AND TRADE FACILITATION
The Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordinating Authority (NCTTCA), in partnership with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and the East African Business Council will host a Regional Conference on Northern Corridor Transport and Trade Facilitation between in the later part of July or mid-August, 2009, in Mombasa, Kenya.

The event is expected to be graced by HE Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya and HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the East African Summit.
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NCTTCA HOSTS SSATP REC-TCC MEETING
A meeting of the SSATP Transport Coordination Committee of the Regional Economic Communities in Sub-Saharan (REC-TCC) was hosted by NCTTCA at Diani Reef Hotel, Mombasa on 21-23 April, 2009.

The REC-TCC was chaired by the new REC- TCC Chairperson, Mr Hosea Nyangweso of the East African Community. The new Program Manager of the SSATP Mr. Stephen VINCENT was introduced.to participants during the meeting.
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SHIPPERS SLAP ON $25-50 'PIRACY SURCHARGE'
As the shipping industry grapples with the piracy menace in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast in the Indian Ocean, at least two lines carrying commercial cargo to the port of Mombasa have introduced an extra fee on all the cargo the said route.

The lines, according to the Kenya Shippers Council chief executive Gilbert Langat, are charging $25 per twenty foot equivalent unit (teus) and $50 for the 40-foot container to offset the increased cost.
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THE 13th MEETING of the UNECA/EA-SRO INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS (ICE)
The 13th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts (ICE) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) took place in Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles, from 27 to 29 April 2009.

The theme of the meeting was “Tracking Progress in Implementing ICTs for Development in Eastern Africa”.
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