Implementation of the COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA)

Implementation of the FTA started on 1st July 2014 and the statutory instrument is the Finance Act 2014/2015. Three regional awareness campaigns on the FTA were undertaken in central, eastern and western Uganda targeting traders, producers, government officers and the general public. The Project supported preparatory activities towards operationalization of the Border Market Programme which the Government of Uganda is implementing to position the country to harness the regional markets. Activities included creating awareness of the Programme, development of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that spells out the engagement mechanism between the Ministry and District Local Governments in the management of the Border Markets, mobilising border communities and Local Government Officials of Busia and Kabale, formation of clusters and undertaking capacity building (fruits and vegetable clusters-Kabale, Cereals and Pulses-Busia) in value addition, enterprise development and harnessing value chain linkages, among others to cluster Members. The project will support development of FTA instruments and related capacity building activities including public awareness. Under this component the project will contribute to the Border Market Program aims at positioning the country to harness regional market opportunities.