Poor standards affecting exports to S. Africa - envoy
Maj Gen (Rtd) Kekoa Solly Mollo
Kampala- It isn’t lack of demand for Ugandan products that is making it difficult to penetrate South African market, but failure to meet international standards, the South African High Commissioner has said.
“Phytosanitary standards are one of the reasons cited as to why some Uganda products have difficulty in finding access to markets in South Africa. It is, therefore, important to address these various challenges,” Maj Gen (Rtd) Kekoa Solly Mollo said at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala yesterday.
He made the revelation while announcing that South African companies registered in Uganda are to have a platform dubbed Forum for South African Businesses in Uganda (Fosabu).
Fosabu, which comprises more than 70 South African companies that have presence in Uganda, will be launched in Kampala today.
Uganda exports to South Africa are mainly agricultural products. South African government is now working with Uganda National Bureau of Standards to train its personnel to bridge the skills gap.
Maj Gen Mollo said there is need to have trade balance between the two countries. Despite the booming trade between the two countries, Ugandans travelling to South African have been getting difficulties to get visas.
Maj Gen Mollo said the problem has been addressed through new regulations. “Ugandans can now apply for a multiple entry visas for a period exceeding three months and up to three years,” he said.
