Government seeks to create 10,000 jobs from Shs5.5b handicrafts deal
Kampala. Over the next four years, government will seek to create at least 10,000 jobs in handicraft and souvenirs industry after securing a $1.5m (Shs5.5b).
The deal which is part of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) will according to Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde, be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism.
Speaking during a four-day EIF regional meeting in Kampala yesterday Ms Kyambadde said EIF is a potential vehicle that can transform Uganda and the other least developed countries from depending on donors.
EIF is the only multilateral partnership dedicated to assisting LDCs such as Uganda to use trade as an engine for growth, sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Ms Kyambadde noted the Shs5.5b will be invested in improving capacity, standards and promotion of crafts and related products to enhance exports from handicraft and the souvenirs industry.
“The project will improve the livelihoods of our people who are engaged in the sector, create employment of over 10,000 jobs and boost exports of handicrafts,” she said.
EIF’s collaboration with Uganda dates back to 2005; under the revamped Integrated Framework Programme, where Uganda was supported to undertake the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study in the 2005/06 financial year.
The study identified both economy and commodity specific constraints that limit growth of trade.
The findings led to a number of activities supported by DFID that sought to ease a web of Non-Tariff Barriers that limit trade.
This, in turn has reduced delays and the cost of moving goods in and outside Uganda.
By December, 2018, 86 per cent of all reported Non-Tariff Barriers reduced movement of goods from Mombasa to Kampala from 21 days in 2011 to four days in 2018.
