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The Uganda Export Promotion Board and the Role of
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| The Uganda Export Promotion Board and the Role of Exporters’ Associations Trade promotion is experiencing radical changes. Technology, economic integration, and instant communications have transformed the way in which products are made and distributed. Furthermore, as a consequence of lower barriers on trade, investment, and technology, products are being increasingly broken down into components—not only in terms of goods, but of services—produced or delivered in the most advantageous locations. The model in the twenty-first century is one of global supply chains, with linkages between investment and trade, and the leverage of outbound FDI to open up new markets. This new reality is the international competition for capital, technology, and markets. In October 2004, the International Trade Centre of the UNCTAD/WTO declared the Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB) the best trade promotion organization in the least developed countries. Trade Promotion Organizations were created in response to the strong advice and support of the International Trade Centre. These institutions are used by many countries to promote their exports by delivering commercial intelligence, market research, services to foreign buyers, group promotions, and advice on shipping, transport, and packaging. The Ugandan board provides services in the following areas conducting market studies to support exports providing market information and training to the business community supporting companies to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions organizing trade missions helping exporters overcome trade barriers, especially in the regional markets and counseling SME exporters. To continue the upward trend in exports, the UEPB is focusing on the following activities during the period 2005–09: 05-Chap5:05-Chap5 10/10/06 11:14 AM Page 240 “ BETWEEN - THE - BORDER ” FACTORS IN AFRICAN - ASIAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT Promoting market standards Diversifying the export base. Programs such as promoting trade in biodiversity and natural ingredients and promoting trade opportunities inorganic agriculture with the support of UNCTAD are already being implemented. The board will develop more of these alternatives Establishing a strong presence in emerging markets. Market studies and contract promotion programs will be undertaken, especially in markets where trade preferences have been offered to Uganda, including China and Canada Overcoming supply-side constraints. The board will implement tested concepts such as export production villages, nucleus farming, and clustering as the existing practices in overcoming supply-side constraints associated with fragmented agriculture in Uganda. Trade promoting agencies have come under a lot of scrutiny, especially the ones that are supported by state funds. However, sometimes the job of export promotion can be conducted by private associations such as Chambers of Commerce or Exporters Associations. Trade promoting agencies are becoming more client oriented and provide more specialized services to their clients. The Uganda Trade Board is working with SMEs to support them in export services. SME coalitions now are helping in trade negotiations. The Uganda Services Exporters Association is a small private sector association working on trade in services through the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, an apex body whose members include all organized groups for industry, professionals, and trade in Uganda. This has allowed Ugandan services firms, even small ones, to contribute to Uganda’s negotiating proposals. It also serves as a basis to select private sector representatives to a number of WTO and regional negotiation forums. Source: World Bank staff. 05-Chap5:05-Chap5 10/10/06 11:14 AM Page 241 |