Market for Uganda’s processed products for export such as sugar and cement has gradually grown over the past years and this is due to the good quality produced by the manufacturers. The country’ exports include; gold, crop products, animal products construction materials like cement among others. The country’s export partners include; China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, South Sudan, and Kenya.
Bank of Uganda statistics show that Uganda earns Shs370b annually from sugar exports and over Shs156b from cement. To enhance such export performance, the government has now introduced the Uganda trade portal website to enable producers and any persons interested in exporting processed products to acquire more knowledge on the process of export.
Manufactured or processed products for export must conform to applicable national and international standards. The manufacturer or processor is therefore required to obtain the distinct quality mark (“Q” mark) or a quality assurance certification.
The process of obtaining standards can be accessed on the Trade Information Portal, developed to equip traders with business information, required documents for import and exportation of goods, costs to meet, and government agencies issuing respective documents. The documentation of procedures is aimed at facilitating trade.
The Quality mark is a third Party guarantee of quality, safety and reliability of products to the consumers and an assurance of conformity to relevant standards. Processed products are expected to carry the same and this is issued by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
Companies seeking certification shall; be legally registered, have a physical location, possess a Tax Identification Number (TIN), Pay applicMarketing support provided by the MARKUP programme, a regional development initiative for the EAC funded by the EUable fees and Sign the certification agreement. Marketing support provided by the MARKUP programme, a regional development initiative for the EAC funded by the EU.