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Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) regional level. It will also strengthen efforts to implement board resolutions whose execution is largely at national level. This will also enhance the degree of interest and support towards activities whose success is largely dependent on either regional and or national involvement. • Improving governance - There is need for a mechanism that would enable FEAFFA to play a more effective leadership/advisory role to assist its members whenever leadership’s challenges arise. This could require constitutional review to ensure this role is performed in harmony with constitutional provisions. This would also make FEAFFA more authoritative in responding to governance issues within the national associations. Adherence to good governance however remains the single most effective way of addressing these concerns. • Expedite the strengthening of ties with the EAC through MOUs with relevant EAC directorates - Focus will be on cementing relationships with key public sector stakeholders in order to develop structured partnerships. In this respect the EAC Directorates of Customs, Trade and Infrastructure have been targeted. On the same radar the Central and Northern corridor authorities and ISCOS will be engaged. • Institutional capacity building and strengthening – There in need for the Federation and the associations to focus more on capacity building of their secretariats. This will enable the secretariats to effectively take charge of the operations of the association with elected boards providing strategic leadership and oversight and as such release elected leaders from the day to day operations of the Secretariats. 14 E. Appreciation The federation is grateful to all its development partners for their support to its cause especially TMEA, USAID EATH, FHI 360 as their input accounted for the bulk of the programmes and activities implemented. Special appreciation also goes to the Executive Board, staff and management for the oversight and management of the federation’s activities, the member associations for their commitment to the different programmes and continuously giving the federation an opportunity to serve them, the different service providers for facilitating the federation’s operations especially those who provided technical services such as the consultants and lastly all stakeholders with whom FEAFFA collaborated. They include but were not limited to the EAC Secretariat, Revenue authorities’ customs administrations, the shippers, transporters, government trade and transport regulatory and coordination authorities and others. F. Conclusion Ending 2014 has proved just how resilient FEAFFA as an organization can be. Despite the difficulties, it is evident that the federation’s commitment to her cause remains unwavering. The rationale behind the formation of the federation is still alive and thus the reason why all stakeholders have remained committed. With more interventions expected to start in 2015, the Federation envisages a better year. We continue to appeal to members and the industry to ensure sustainability of the federation. To all our partners, just as we need you, it’s our strong belief that you too need us and thus the need to establish a strong symbiotic relationship that will produce two way results. ANNUAL REPORT 2014