Govt asked to develop more Export Promotion Zones
Jul 05, 2004
A Research fellow at Makerere University’s Economic Research Centre, Dr. Fred Muhumuza, has said government must create other Export Promotion Zones (EPZs) in order to achieve more economic growth and employment.<br>
By Caroline Arinaitwe
and Jovita Mirembe
A Research fellow at Makerere University’s Economic Research Centre, Dr. Fred Muhumuza, has said government must create other Export Promotion Zones (EPZs) in order to achieve more economic growth and employment.
“Some areas could be developed to produce for the international market especially products whose entry into such markets is restricted by standards. Areas like Arua, Masindi and Mubende where products like simsim, tobacco and cotton are grown should be developed because Uganda’s economy depends more on agricultural exports,†Muhumuza said.
He was presenting a paper on linking trade and poverty at the National Poverty Forum at Makerere University’s Senate building recently.
EPZs are created by demarcating industrial zones, which constitute a free trade enclave outside a country’s normal customs and trading system. Foreign enterprises produce principally for export and benefit from certain tax and financial incentives. Namanve is an EPZ.
Muhumuza said the selection of EPZs could be based on their agricultural comparative advantage and the potential to employ many poor people.
He said the extension of Lake Kyoga as an EPZ for fishing would increase fish exports.
“In the more recent past, (2000-2003) poverty has increased in all parts of the country, rising from 34.6% in 2000 to 38.8% in 2003. This should be fought through the stimulation of value-addition on the existing primary products for export and promotion of domestic and foreign investment in export-oriented activities,†Muhumuza said.
The senior commercial officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Mutabunga Emmanuel, said the Government plans to mobilise Export Promotion Villages by advising farmers about crops which are highly demanded on the export market.
Ends
and Jovita Mirembe
A Research fellow at Makerere University’s Economic Research Centre, Dr. Fred Muhumuza, has said government must create other Export Promotion Zones (EPZs) in order to achieve more economic growth and employment.
“Some areas could be developed to produce for the international market especially products whose entry into such markets is restricted by standards. Areas like Arua, Masindi and Mubende where products like simsim, tobacco and cotton are grown should be developed because Uganda’s economy depends more on agricultural exports,†Muhumuza said.
He was presenting a paper on linking trade and poverty at the National Poverty Forum at Makerere University’s Senate building recently.
EPZs are created by demarcating industrial zones, which constitute a free trade enclave outside a country’s normal customs and trading system. Foreign enterprises produce principally for export and benefit from certain tax and financial incentives. Namanve is an EPZ.
Muhumuza said the selection of EPZs could be based on their agricultural comparative advantage and the potential to employ many poor people.
He said the extension of Lake Kyoga as an EPZ for fishing would increase fish exports.
“In the more recent past, (2000-2003) poverty has increased in all parts of the country, rising from 34.6% in 2000 to 38.8% in 2003. This should be fought through the stimulation of value-addition on the existing primary products for export and promotion of domestic and foreign investment in export-oriented activities,†Muhumuza said.
The senior commercial officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Mutabunga Emmanuel, said the Government plans to mobilise Export Promotion Villages by advising farmers about crops which are highly demanded on the export market.
Ends