The new economy needs standardization
Feb 25, 2005
SIR—I read with keen interest Dr. Suruma's strategy for accelerating and revamping the development of our economy in the Sunday Vision of February 20. I wish to make an addition by highlighting the sister issue of competitiveness such that large volumes of our locally produced goods can compete fa
SIR—I read with keen interest Dr. Suruma's strategy for accelerating and revamping the development of our economy in the Sunday Vision of February 20. I wish to make an addition by highlighting the sister issue of competitiveness such that large volumes of our locally produced goods can compete favourably in the international markets.
The globalisation of world trade and the attendant requirements of the World Trade Organisation Agreement on technical barriers to trade makes standardisation a strategic imperative at the forefront of any export-led industrial development initiative. Uganda's ability to compete in the global markets is directly linked to standards, which are the international language to access those markets. International standards are the conduit for a country's goods and services into the international arena and the global market place.
Unfortunately, there appears to be little appreciation among our policy makers, legislators and technocrats in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development about the important role that standardisation plays in facilitating export trade. The national standards of developed countries can be barriers to Uganda's exports if they cannot prove that they meet the required standards.
The ban on Uganda's fish exports to the EU in the late 90s is testimony to this argument. We need to learn from this experience because the same can befall other sectors, with adverse effects on the economy.
Therefore, for Dr. Suruma's strategy to succeed, Uganda has to seriously invest in standardisation and attendant quality assurance programmes and to strengthen the country's standardisation infrastructure. This means strengthening the Standards Information Services such that exporters can access the requirements of their export markets. Also important is the need to establish or strengthen the existing testing laboratories at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) such that they attain international recognition and issue internationally recognised test certificates. Other requirements include calibration services to ensure accuracy of industrial measuring instruments, establishing a laboratory accreditation system, training in quality control and quality assurance and raising consciousness of the importance of quality among producers, exporters and the population at large. UNBS, the competent authority on issues related to standardisation, is grossly under-funded and ill-equipped to champion Uganda's export drive. Government priorities need to be refocused to addressing the capacity gaps of this critical institution and provide as much support as is required.
Otherwise agricultural and export-led industrial development cannot be realised without making strategic investments in standards, quality and standardisation infrastructure. This will in turn lead to improved incomes and poverty eradication in the agriculture-dependent rural households. Efforts for sustained poverty eradication can only achieve results through sustained consideration of standardisation.
Standardisation is a prerequisite for, but a missing link in Uganda's drive towards an export-led industrial development strategy.
Moses Sebunya
Public Relations Officer,
Uganda National Bureau of Standards
The globalisation of world trade and the attendant requirements of the World Trade Organisation Agreement on technical barriers to trade makes standardisation a strategic imperative at the forefront of any export-led industrial development initiative. Uganda's ability to compete in the global markets is directly linked to standards, which are the international language to access those markets. International standards are the conduit for a country's goods and services into the international arena and the global market place.
Unfortunately, there appears to be little appreciation among our policy makers, legislators and technocrats in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development about the important role that standardisation plays in facilitating export trade. The national standards of developed countries can be barriers to Uganda's exports if they cannot prove that they meet the required standards.
The ban on Uganda's fish exports to the EU in the late 90s is testimony to this argument. We need to learn from this experience because the same can befall other sectors, with adverse effects on the economy.
Therefore, for Dr. Suruma's strategy to succeed, Uganda has to seriously invest in standardisation and attendant quality assurance programmes and to strengthen the country's standardisation infrastructure. This means strengthening the Standards Information Services such that exporters can access the requirements of their export markets. Also important is the need to establish or strengthen the existing testing laboratories at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) such that they attain international recognition and issue internationally recognised test certificates. Other requirements include calibration services to ensure accuracy of industrial measuring instruments, establishing a laboratory accreditation system, training in quality control and quality assurance and raising consciousness of the importance of quality among producers, exporters and the population at large. UNBS, the competent authority on issues related to standardisation, is grossly under-funded and ill-equipped to champion Uganda's export drive. Government priorities need to be refocused to addressing the capacity gaps of this critical institution and provide as much support as is required.
Otherwise agricultural and export-led industrial development cannot be realised without making strategic investments in standards, quality and standardisation infrastructure. This will in turn lead to improved incomes and poverty eradication in the agriculture-dependent rural households. Efforts for sustained poverty eradication can only achieve results through sustained consideration of standardisation.
Standardisation is a prerequisite for, but a missing link in Uganda's drive towards an export-led industrial development strategy.
Moses Sebunya
Public Relations Officer,
Uganda National Bureau of Standards