Trade minister Mwebesa urges exporters on quality

Uganda’s Trade Minister, Francis Mwebesa, has stressed the importance of quality standards for exporters, saying it is crucial for boosting the country’s economic growth.

Speaking on World Standards Day, Mr. Mwebesa noted that standards play a vital role in building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

“Standards facilitate the development of reliable and resilient infrastructure, enabling industries to operate effectively and sustainably,” he said.

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has developed over 4,862 standards across various sectors, including food, agriculture, chemicals, and engineering.

Mr. Mwebesa encouraged exporters to prioritize quality, emphasizing that conformity to national, regional, and international standards is essential for accessing global markets.

He praised experts contributing to standardization and encouraged the public to demand UNBS-certified products.

To promote standardization, UNBS has simplified guidelines, decentralized services, and reduced certification fees for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Uganda’s push for standardization comes as the country seeks to increase its exports and integrate into the global economy.

Experts say implementing standards can enhance the competitiveness of Ugandan products and services.

Uganda’s standardization efforts have been ongoing for several years.

The country has made significant progress in developing standards for various sectors.

However, challenges remain in enforcing compliance and ensuring widespread adoption.

The government’s renewed focus on standardization is expected to address these challenges.