Uganda government is calling upon small and medium enterprises to embrace the value of accrediting their products as it is the gate way to international markets.
This was contained in a message delivered to the public by the Minister of state for Trade industry and cooperatives David Bahati as Uganda observed the world accreditation day.
The World Accreditation Day (WAD) is a global initiative established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF), to raise awareness on the importance of accreditation amongst all relevant stakeholders.
The day is celebrated in over 100 economies worldwide, represented by more than 100 accreditation bodies with the purpose of promoting accreditation.
Minister Bahati says Uganda has secured markets for Ugandan products in Europe,China,United States of America and other parts of the continent but the products need to be accredited in order toto penetrate the markets easily.
This year, the World Accreditation Day was commemorated under the theme; Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The theme highlights how accreditation and the broader quality infrastructure system can support and strengthen SMEs.
According to the World Trade Organization, nearly 95% of businesses worldwide are SMEs, most units employing less than 250 people each. However, they account for a greater share of employment in most economies, including the developed economies. In Uganda, the SMEs contribute to over 70% of the country’s GDP and provide nearly 90% of the employment in the various sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and services. According to the World Trade Organization, nearly 95% of businesses worldwide are SMEs, most units employing less than 250 people each. However, they account for a greater share of employment in most economies, including the developed economies.
In Uganda, the SMEs contribute to over 70% of the country’s GDP and provide nearly 90% of the employment in the various sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and services.