Small factories want separate industrial parks

Mar 27, 2013

The Government has been asked to create appropriate industrial parks for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Industrial parks currently being promoted by the Government only target big industries.

By Prossy Nandudu

The Government has been asked to create appropriate industrial parks for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Industrial parks currently being promoted by the Government only target big industries.

An industrial park is an area zoned and planned for the purpose of industrial development.

In other countries, governments create sites that are specifically designed for SMEs with affordable infrastructure such as water, electricity and roads, said John Walugembe, the executive secretary of the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA). He was speaking during a press briefing at Lugogo in Kampala.

“What we have are large industrial parks that small scale entrepreneurs cannot afford. The Government has supported large entrepreneurs and jua kali but in between that are businesses not supported at all,” Walugembe noted.

He said without an industrial park, small businesses will not be able to compete.

“Small firms cannot afford an acre of land at Namanve and cannot even compete for clients.”

Walugembe pointed out that the development of industrial parks for small scale businesses has been left to private developers, which makes premises expensive.

“Tirupati, a local firm, is developing an industrial park for SMEs on the Northern Bypass in Kyebando. This should be the work of the Government,” Walugembe said.

 

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