- 1. THE TRADE POLICY PROCESSES IN UGANDA Presentation bySilver
OjakolDepartment ofExternal Trade Kampala, 15 thOctober 2008
2. Organization of the Presentation
- Background to formulation of the Trade Policy
- Process of writing the draft Policy
- Presentation of the Draft National Trade Policy (NTP)
- Next steps finalization and implementation
3. Background to formulation of the Policy
- Desire to formulate and consolidate a Trade Policy arose out of
a realization by Government that there was no single coherent Trade
Policy document to guide players in the trade sector, especially
the private sector
- Trade and trade-related policies existed in various
documents
4. Background to formulation of the Policy (contd)
- Most of these policies were not up-to-date, lacked consistence
and coherence
- Government therefore decided to consolidate, streamline, update
and formulate the National Trade Policy; and avail a single
document to guide players in the trade sector
5. Process of writing the National Trade Policy
- The process began in 2004, with a Sub-Committee selected from
within members of the Inter-Institutional Trade Committee (IITC)
tasked to develop Terms of Reference to guide preparation of
Background documents
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- The IITC is a multi stake holder forum
- Sub-committee members drawn from the public sector, private
sector and civil society
6. Process of writing the National Trade Policy (contd)
- A consultant was recruited to prepare a Background to Ugandas
Trade Policy; document was to examine existing trade and trade
related policies, the gaps therein, institutional framework for
trade policy, gather and document stakeholders views on trade
policy, and recommend what a new Trade Policy should entail
7. Process of writing the National Trade Policy (contd)
- Consultant worked under supervision of MTTI
- Numerous stakeholders were consulted, either individually or as
a group; included Government Ministries and Agencies including
those affiliated to MTTI, Parliament, private sector, academia, and
civil society
- Result of this process:The Background to Ugandas National Trade
Policy
8. Process of writing the National Trade Policy (contd)
- MTTI constituted a National Trade Policy Drafting Team to study
the Background document and stakeholders views, and draft a
National Trade Policy for wider discussion
- The Team produced a draft that was later discussed by a wider
group of technocrats in the Ministry, and MTTI political
leadership
9. Process of writing the National Trade Policy (contd)
- The Drafting Team incorporated the input of all these
discussions into the draft Policy
- An improved version of the Policy was then sent to selected key
stakeholders (e.g. MFPED, NPA) for further consultations; in
addition to further capturing key stakeholders input, this process
was meant to prepare ground for implementation
10. Process of writing the National Trade Policy (contd)
- A number of comments/views were received and incorporated into
the draft Policy before it was circulated for discussion at the
final national consultation the 2 ndNational Trade Sector Review
Conference (NTSRC) and DTIS validation Conference held on 2-4
thOctober 2006
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- The NTSRC involves stakeholders in the IITC as well as the
local governments, Parliamentarians, development partners
11. Process of writing the National Trade Policy (contd)
- After discussion of the Policy at the Conference, a five-man
team (MTTI -3, MFPED 1, & Technical Advisor UPTOP - 1) held a
two-day retreat to incorporate the recommendations of the
Conference into the Policy; clean it up; and finalize it
12. Process of writing the National Trade Policy (contd)
- After the finalization, the Drafting Team thought it prudent to
present the final document to Honourable Ministers in MTTI in
preparation for submission of the Policy to Cabinet for
consideration
- The whole process of writing the Policy was supported by the EU
through UPTOP
13. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Key
considerations
- context within which the Policy is formulated, and a discussion
of trade as a development tool
- Situational analysis sectoral composition of GDP, direction of
trade, existing trade and trade-related policies, Ugandas trade in
the global context
14. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Key considerations
(Contd)
- Requirements for implementation of the NTP
15. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Key Considerations
(Contd)
- Specific Policy Interventions Domestic Trade, International
Trade, Trade Policy Synergies and Complementarities/cross-cutting
policies
- Implementation of the NTP core functions of MTTI and DCOs;
Ministries with direct roles to play
16. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Key considerations
(contd)
- The NTP is formulated within the framework of other National
Development Policies and Strategies, particularly the PRSP the PEAP
2004/5-2007/8, The Medium Term Competitiveness Strategy (MTCS), The
Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) and Vision 2025
- The findings of the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS)
has also provided significant guidance.
17. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Key considerations
(contd)
- International Development aspirations & commitments such as
the MDGs as well as international trade agreements to which Uganda
is a signatory have also provided significant input and guidance in
drafting the National Trade Policy
- The NTP theme:Trading Out of Poverty, Into Wealth
18. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Key Considerations
(contd)
- Draft Policy acknowledges that the trade sector is very
dynamic, especially in the context of a fast globalizing world
under the auspices of the multilateral trading system
19. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis
- Situational analysis notes that imports have been growing
faster than exports, resulting into a wider trade imbalance.
- Most of these imports do not necessarily feed into the
production process (i.e. are consumables), a situation which is
unsustainable and undesirable
20. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- If not corrected, this would contribute to a widening trade
imbalance and continued lack of coordination between the trade and
production sectors such as the agricultural and industrial
sectors
- Countrys major trading partners are the EU and COMESA
21. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Whereas the percentage share of exports to the COMESA has
increased, the trade imbalance between Uganda and the COMESA region
has been widening
- Implication of this is that limited domestic capacity to tap
opportunities created by regionalism and multilateralism is
developed
22. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Development of domestic trade is an integral component of the
NTP
- Henceforth, Government to pursue trade-led development
- Export sector still faces both tariff and non-tariff
barriers
23. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Some of the barriers to growth in trade are exogenous while
others are endogenous
- The NTP and other trade-related policies should therefore focus
on both internal and external factors to boost the countrys
capacity to use trade as a development tool
24. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Relationship between trade and poverty reduction is
analyzed
- Analysis indicates that the NTP would, inter alia, have to
address problems in the agricultural sector, especially the falling
agricultural commodity prices, & managing trade liberalization
& its effects in order for trade to be a tool of poverty
reduction
25. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Importance of complementary policies comes out in the
situational analysis
- Trade in the context of globalization is analyzed, and the
conclusion is that we need to do more than we have previously done
in order to develop the countrys capacity to gain from
globalization
26. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Emphasis needs to go beyond the Washington Consensus
macroeconomic stabilization, privatization and liberalization
- Private sector in LDCs such as Uganda is still weak, and needs
some support including through trade policies
27. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Linkage between domestic policies anddevelopment of trade is
explored
- Severed linkage between MTTI and the DCOs clearly comes out as
an issue that needs immediate policy correction
- Domestic trade and international trade are mutually reinforcing
and policies should reflect this
28. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Complementarities ofpolicies is essential, e.g. trade and tax
policy, trade and transport/infrastructure, trade and agriculture,
trade and health, trade and Industry
29. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Situational
Analysis (contd)
- Govt recognizes that trade policy will be most effective when
complemented by effective and efficient institutions, adequate and
efficient trade facilitating infrastructure and appropriate human
skills
- Trade in Services is key to economic development; and so is
sufficient regulatory capacity
30. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Trade Policy
Vision
- To transform Uganda into a dynamic and competitive economy in
which the trade sector stimulates the productive sectors; and to
trade the country out of poverty, into wealth
31. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Mission Statement
& Overall Policy Objective
- To develop and nurture private sector competitiveness, and to
support the productive sectors of the economy to trade at both
domestic and international levels, with the ultimate objective of
creating wealth, employment, enhancing social welfare and attaining
sustainable economic development
32. Presentation of the Draft National Trade Policy:The Guiding
Principles
- Development of both domestic and international trade
- Creating opportunities for equal participation in trade through
entrepreneurial development, giving priority to the socially and
economically disadvantaged groups in society
33. Presentation of the Draft National Trade Policy:The Guiding
Principles (contd)
- Provision of an enabling environment with a view to developing
and nurturing a private sector that is capable of competing at
global level
- Targeted Government interventions in specific sectors, if and
as deemed necessary
34. Presentation of the Draft National Trade Policy:The Guiding
Principles (contd)
- Pursuit of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade
initiatives
- Mitigating any adverse effects of practices by the countrys
trading partners by invoking and implementing trade defense
measures as and when appropriate, taking into account multilateral
disciplines in the area
35. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Priorities of the
NTP
- Enhancing thecompetitivenessof Ugandan products and services in
the domestic, regional and international markets
- Facilitating the smooth flow of trade, while ensuring that
trade conforms to national and international laws and
regulations
- Boosting capacities of the socially and economically
disadvantaged to trade
36. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Priorities of the
NTP (contd)
- Strengthening trade institutions, particularly those dealing
with trade policy, standards, trade flow facilitation/customs,
& provision of trade information
- Securing and maintaining improved market access to the
domestic, regional and international markets for Ugandas goods and
services
37. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Priorities of the
NTP (contd)
- Provision of trade information to enable prudent and optimal
investment decision making
- Developing capacity to exploit existing market access
opportunities
- Exploiting policy synergies, coherence and complementarities
between trade and other policies
38. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Requirements for
Implementation of the Policy
- Strengthen the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry,
Affiliated Institutions, and the District Commercial Offices; and
create a closer link between the Ministry and the District
Commercial Offices
- Provide adequate resources, both financial and human, to
facilitate trade development activities right from the
grassroots
39. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Requirements for
Implementation of the Policy (Contd)
- Provide resources for participation in activities that are
aimed at securing improved and predictable market access for
Ugandas products and services
40. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Requirements for
Implementation of the Policy (Contd)
- Review and strengthen commercial and/or trade laws, as well as
complementary laws and policies
- Formulate and implement policies and strategies that are
complementary to trade policy
41. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Requirements for
Implementation of the Policy (Contd)
- Develop a Market Information System to facilitate the
collection, analysis and dissemination of trade information
- Institutionalize and strengthen the Public-Private Sector
Partnership in the formulation and implementation of the trade
policy and trade development strategies and programmes
42. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Requirements for
Implementation of the Policy (Contd)
- Clarify and consolidate the relationship between the productive
sectors on one hand and the trade sector on the other
- Work with the private sector to strengthen private sector apex
associations.
43. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions
- Domestic trade: Development of the domestic trade sub-sector
shall be pursued using a multi-faceted approach, which shall
include;
- 1.strengthening of domestic trade policies and laws
- 2.Identification and exploitation of policy synergies and
complementarities
44. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions
- 3.Ensuring that goods and services on sale on the domestic
market meet the required standards and sanitary and phytosanitary
measures
- 4.Nurturing the private sector with a view to making it
competitive in production and trade
45. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions(contd)
- 5.Ensuring that all national policies and practices on taxation
and licensing are supportive of the competitiveness of Ugandan
products
- 6.Using domestic trade as a spring board for effective
participation in international trade
46. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- 7.Substantially reducing artificial shortages of products and
services in one part of the country when they are available in
another
- Formulation & implementation of sectoral policies necessary
for prudent management of a liberal economy, e.g. Competition
Policy, Consumer Protection Policy;
47. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Implementation of the Marketing and Agro-Processing Strategy of
the PMA; strengthening the District Commercial Offices; encouraging
collective action in marketing; development & implementation of
a Standards Policy; provision of affirmative action to local
suppliers under Government Procurement
48. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- International Trade : Development of international trade, using
a vibrant domestic production and trade sub-sector as a spring
board is an integral component of the Policy
49. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- The overriding goal of Government policy on international trade
is to ensure effective integration of the economy into the regional
economy and the Multilateral Trading System (MTS), enhancing
national capacity to take advantage of the above, while minimizing
the negative effects of globalization
50. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Government policy actions in the international trade sub-sector
shall aim at:
- 1.ensuring that the sub-sector effectively and efficiently
complements the domestic trade and production sub-sectors;
- 2.ensuring that what is produced domestically can be
competitively traded at international level;
51. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- 3.Enhancing trade negotiations capacity4.adapting Ugandas
economy to the trade and trade-related policies and practices of
the countrys trading partners
52. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Establishment of the National Trade Negotiations Team;
- Creation of a Trade, Debt and Finance Committee to ensure
reflection of the importance of trade in macroeconomicand monetary
policies, and vice versa
53. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Posting and maintaining Trade Officers to Embassies/Missions
that participate in various trade negotiations or are located in
countries and/or regions in which Uganda has strategic trade
interests
- Pursuing regional economic integration as well as
multilateralism with a view to increasing effective market access
opportunities for Ugandas goods and services
54. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Maintain a liberal trade policy and at the same time enhance
capacity to adjust to trade liberalization, including development
of social safety nets in instances where it is envisaged that the
liberalization may have negative effects
- Continue to implement trade facilitating measures.
55. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Policy will be guided by the objective of optimal exploitation
of policy synergies, with the major focus on forward and backward
linkages between domestic, international trade, production policies
such as agricultural and industrial policies and
infrastructure/transport policy
56. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Institutionalization of the public-private sector consultative
mechanism through the formal establishment of the IITC;
- Implementation of trade facilitation measures
57. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Working with training institutions, in both the public and
private sectors, to provide business and entrepreneurial skills as
well as other skills that are relevant to private sector
development, competitiveness, and trade policy
- Protection of intellectual property rights
58. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Specific Policy
Interventions (contd)
- Pursuance of macroeconomic policies and practices that are
consistent with the countrys objective of increasing exports and
enhancing competitiveness
59. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Implementation of
the Policy
- Implementation of the Policy shall be the responsibility of the
Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry
- In fulfilling this function, the Ministry collaborates with
relevant Ministries- MFPED, MAAIF, MLH&UD; MOES, MOLG, MOFA,
MJ&CA, MW&E, MICT, MWT&C & MOH), and Institutions,
and the private sector
60. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Implementation of
the Policy (contd)
- A National Trade Sector Development Plan (NTSDP) has been
developed to guide implementation of the Policy
- The NTSDP provides for a Monitoring and Evaluation
Framework
61. Presentation of the National Trade Policy:Implementation of
the Policy (contd)
- Core functions of MTTI in light of the new NTP revolve around
coordination, policy formulation and guidance, resource
mobilization, and monitoring and evaluation
- Those of the decentralized units of service delivery the DCOs
customize implementation of the Policy to decentralization
framework
62. Presentation of the National Trade Policy: Conclusion
- The National Trade Policy presents an opportunity to
substantially reduce poverty in the country.In the past, some
problems have existed with regard to expending deliberate efforts
to trade, with the private sector largely expected to play the lead
role
63. Presentation of the National Trade Policy: Conclusion
(Contd)
- The updated and consolidated Policy learns from the past and
puts in place corrective measures.It aims at enhancing
competitiveness and nurturing the private sector
- Domestic trade and international trade are equally emphasized
in the Policy
64. Presentation of the National Trade Policy: Conclusion
(Contd)
- A social dimension is also introduced into the
Policy.Government is fully convinced that implementation of the
Policy will lead to achievement of the Poverty reduction targets
and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals
- The Public-Private Partnership approach envisaged for
implementation will make it possible for the Policy to achieve its
Vision and Objective