Trademark East Africa gives Uganda sh100 million for the Northern Corridor Project

Trade East Africa has given Uganda office equipment worth sh100 million to support initiatives of creating a coordinating center for the Northern Corridor Integration Project initiatives.

The equipment which includes laptop, desk computers, printers, projectors and heavy duty photocopier will complement the resources required to effectively discharge the coordination role.

 The equipment was handed over to the Permanent secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. James Mugume by a senior director at TMEA, Richard Kamajugo at the ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. While handing over the equipment, Kamajugo said given the multi institutional and cross border dimensions of the projects being undertaken, effective coordination which is currently done by the ministry is critical for the successful implementation of the projects.

 He said that since initiatives of the Northern corridor were launched, there have been some achievements in reduction in times spent which has enhanced efficiency of trade and logistics in the region.

 Receiving the equipment, Amb.Mugume said that once the road is completed, it will be alternative diversion from traffic from Rwanda to Uganda.

"We have a responsibility of enhancing regional integration as a c tool of delivering economic development, when the NCIP project is fully implemented, it will lead to a faster transformation of the region hence improving competitiveness and the business environment," Mugume said.

He however advised TMEA to make ensure that such a project leads to the development of other income generating activities like tourism and growth of centres along the major corridors in East Africa.

"Trade and development move hand in hand. Since we are creating corridors I believe these can create other investments that will increase trade and industrialization. These could be in areas of tourism and creating urban centers that will grow alongside the trade itself," said Mugume.

Why the attention on the Northern Corridor?

Kamajugo explained that the Northern Corridor Project is key in one TMEA's activities because of the benefits realized so far in terms of reducing time and improving business along this route.

 He said that TMEA's focus is to reduce the time and cost enhancing efficiency or regional and international trade through improving trade systems processes and infrastructure.

 In Uganda, TMEA has over the past 6 years invested in the following areas upgrade of the URA Customs IT system, development of One-Stop border posts at Mirama Hills, Busia and Mutukula which are operational and awaiting official launching and Elegu at the Uganda/S.Sudan border where construction has commenced,  With support from TMEA, the installation of an Electronic System for tracking cargo in transit is done, Co-funded the tarmacking of the 37Km Ntungamo-Mirama Hill road with Government of Uganda, and Capacity enhancement of trade regulatory agencies such as UNBS and NDA among others.