Government officials, private sector players, certification experts and other stakeholders in the export industry are set to converge to discuss solutions through which Uganda can grow its exports.
This is what will characterize the annual Export Week to be held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala beginning January 15 to 19 this year. Over 1,000 delegates are expected to take part.
The week, themed on “Exporting – growth opportunities for local industries” will comprise of a series of events including an Export Walk, the annual exporters’ conference, business clinics and exporters’ awards among others.
Activities will highlight some of the key government programs that have been initiated to develop export production, productivity and compliance.
According to the Uganda Exports Promotions Board (UEPB), the business clinics will dwell on service exports and ways to improve the packaging of Uganda’s exports.
Speakers at the 2nd Annual Exporters’ Conference will include government officials, private sector players including exporters of both services and products.
The conference slated for January 17, will focus on addressing supply side constraints of exports as a critical element in developing the sector.
Speakers at the conference will include government officials, certification, standards and quality management practitioners and exporters of both agricultural and processed exports.
On Thursday January 18, President Yoweri Museveni who is expected to be chief guest will hand Awards to recognize the best performing exporters of 2016 and key contributors to export performance.
In its development agenda, government plans to increase export to 16.9% of Uganda’s GDP by 2020, but this requires addressing existing bottlenecks key among them, supply, standards and quality packaging to meet global yardsticks.