Trade restrictions hailed
Apr 27, 2004
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has said restrictions and bans on imported goods had increased quality and standard awareness among business people in the country.<br>
By Doreen Kansiime
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has said restrictions and bans on imported goods had increased quality and standard awareness among business people in the country.
“Although bans and restrictions are a bad experience, at least a number of traders are learning from them and adjusting to meet the required standards,†Gyaviira Musoke, the UNBS head of import inspection, said recently.
Musoke said restrictions and bans set by UNBS for the Import Inspection Scheme were aimed at stopping sub-standard goods from coming into the country but not to mistreat traders.
He said the recent ban on Tiger Head and Tiger Cat batteries had forced importers to build rapport with the bureau which had enabled them learn about the importation of quality dry cells.
“Many importers now call us to enquire about a product before bringing it into the country so that they are not stopped at the clearing lines,†Musoke said.
He said Ugandan traders had reached a point of self declaration where they check, verify products and link up with the manufacturers abroad to ensure they abide by the required standards.
Musoke said UNBS had contacts with their standards counterparts in other countries to enable easy communication for the importers who needed information on products.
He told importers to avoid getting into trouble by knowing the required standards of goods before bringing them into the country.
Ends
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has said restrictions and bans on imported goods had increased quality and standard awareness among business people in the country.
“Although bans and restrictions are a bad experience, at least a number of traders are learning from them and adjusting to meet the required standards,†Gyaviira Musoke, the UNBS head of import inspection, said recently.
Musoke said restrictions and bans set by UNBS for the Import Inspection Scheme were aimed at stopping sub-standard goods from coming into the country but not to mistreat traders.
He said the recent ban on Tiger Head and Tiger Cat batteries had forced importers to build rapport with the bureau which had enabled them learn about the importation of quality dry cells.
“Many importers now call us to enquire about a product before bringing it into the country so that they are not stopped at the clearing lines,†Musoke said.
He said Ugandan traders had reached a point of self declaration where they check, verify products and link up with the manufacturers abroad to ensure they abide by the required standards.
Musoke said UNBS had contacts with their standards counterparts in other countries to enable easy communication for the importers who needed information on products.
He told importers to avoid getting into trouble by knowing the required standards of goods before bringing them into the country.
Ends