The Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA), in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), successfully conducted a three-day Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) and Market Analysis Training Workshop aimed at strengthening Uganda’s capacity to identify market opportunities and address trade barriers affecting businesses.
Building skills for export competitiveness
Held under the European Union (EU)-funded EU-EAC MARKUP II Programme, the training brought together 16 participants from business support institutions and industry stakeholders to build practical skills in market research, export analysis, and the use of ITC trade tools.
The workshop focused on enhancing the ability of participants to support small and medium enterprises in navigating non-tariff barriers, improving compliance, and accessing regional and international markets.
Supporting regional integration and market access
The programme aligns with MARKUP II’s broader objective of increasing export competitiveness for Uganda’s agribusiness and horticultural sectors, including coffee, cocoa, avocado, and packaging products, while promoting regional integration within the East African Community.
Participants described the training as highly practical and relevant to their work, noting that the skills acquired would support evidence-based trade policy development and help businesses access new export markets.
"I will utilize HS code classification to ensure our members remain compliant with export requirements," said Ibrah Sekayi.
Another participant, Andrew Walusimbi, emphasized the need to expand the initiative’s reach, calling for "the immediate rollout of the training through regional offices to scale the intervention's impact."