Posted on June, 21, 2018 at 10:36 am
IT is now easier for Agribusiness within the East African Community (EAC) to access the European markets following signing of the Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) project.
The €39million initiative which is funded by the European Union (EU) will provide support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region to improve access to EU markets and increase interregional trade.
The EU initiative, which is part of the 11thEuropean Development Fund, will also support regional SMEs in a variety of sectors including avocado, cocoa, coffee, horticulture, spices and tea.
Speaking here yesterday shortly before inking the four-year programme, EAC Secretary General Liberat Mfumukeko said interventions of the project will focus on the identification and elimination of trade barriers, improving competitiveness, strengthening of added value on selected priority sectors.
“This project will bring on board exporters and other experts to address the issue of substandard products that’s been affecting regional trade with European markets,” explained the EAC Secretary General.
He added that through the project, the EAC will strive to align regional products with international standards for the good of the region.
“Our products have fallen short of meeting international quality standards, it is an area the project will strive to address,” added the SG.
Other agencies that will implement the MARKUP project include the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the German development agency (GIZ).
Head of Cooperation at the EU delegation in Tanzania, Jose Correia Nunes said the four year programme will support EAC efforts to improve regional trade enabling environment as well as enterprise export competitiveness for a number of products with high growth potential.
On his part, GIZ Country Director Ernst Hustaed pledged support to the EAC Secretariat in implementing the project.
According to GIZ official, the MARKUP project will complement the longstanding support of the German government to the EAC integration process.
“We will work closely with the EAC and partner states to support the implementation of customs union and the common market protocol in order to improve the preconditions for trade and value addition in the region,” he said.
Source: IPP Media