Minister faults Chambers of Commerce

By David Ssempijja

Trade state minister Dr. James Mutende has criticized the two chambers of commerce for being less vibrant in matters of advocating for an improved trade environment at country and regional levels.

He lamented that the country has two chambers, with one being among the oldest trade related organisations but its existence can hardly be noticed by people involved in trade and commerce.

The two bodies alluded to are the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) that has existed since 1933 and the three year old Uganda Allied Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (UACCIA).

“We have two chambers of commerce in Uganda; but they are not present among the people whose interests they purport to represent. We want to see you more vibrant in matters aimed at improving the nation’s trade environment for the good of the people,” he said.

Mutende was officiating at the closing of a two-day regional forum organised in Kampala by UACCIA and Tanzania Chamber of Commerce; Industry and Agriculture to discuss issues related to promoting intra-East African Community (EAC) trade in services.

The minister wondered how young bodies like Kampala City Traders Associations had gained a louder voice and proved to be more relevant to the traders than UNCCI, a body that has existed for all those decades.

The UACCIA executive director Bernard Bangirana told participants that despite being a new entrant, the chamber (UACCIA) was getting vigorous in advocating for better conditions that streamline commerce across the EAC region.

UACCIA has managed to partner with other bodies in the region to identify key impediments to trade and commerce and there after propose actions that should be taken by the public and private sector.

“We have been involved in matters to do with elimination of non-tariff barriers from the EAC trade systems and pushing for more involvement in cross-border trade in services as a key driver of the region’s economy,” he said.

In the period from 2007-2011, business services have grown at 85% per annum in Kenya, 14%  in Tanzania, and 18%  in Uganda.

Notable among the services under emphasis are; tourism, education, communication, transport, Information Communication Technology, consultancy among others.

With support with the Centre for Development and Enterprises (CDE), the chambers across the region are also pushing for strong public- private partnerships in financing trade enhancement projects that require heavy capital investments.