The launch of the Uganda trade portal, an online and a one stop shop offering export, import and transit information has left traders excited. The traders say the portal will improve business by removing bureaucracy and reducing time spent in doing business.

The portal, which was launched by the trade minister Amelia Kyambade, will help interested traders on information concerning the procedures, documentation fees, and charges for exportation, importation and transit of goods.

 Dr. James Kanjikye, the CEO of KK Fresh Produce Exporters, a company that exports fresh food to Europe, said that he is glad that the many steps that his company used to go through when exporting are to be reduced and easily accessed on a mobile phone. “We used to visit many agencies right from Uganda Revenue Authority up to the clearing agents. I am happy that all this can be accessed via the portal,’’ Kanjikye said.

Mr. William Twesige, the manager of Nile Fresh Produce, a company that exports fruits expressed his happiness about the initiative and said that it is going to reduce on the bureaucracies in exportation. “Time is money, I am glad that we can reach or get information from different agencies by just visiting the portal,” Twesige added.

Mr. Moses Ssekyanzi, a young trader dealing in clothing at Mukwano Arcade in Kampala revealed that he will be able to venture into importation of clothing and eliminate the middle men. “I am glad that by accessing the portal, I will get to know about all the procedures on how to import my clothing, I need to save my money, these middle men can tend to be tricky,” Ssekyanzi told journalism@mak.

The portal that was developed with a grant of $500, 000m (about 1.875 billion shillings) from the United States agency for international development (USAID) can be accessed at http://ugandatrades.go.ug. The portal is managed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

A click on the portal revealed that it so far has information on eight commodities including fruits, flowers, coffee, maize, rice, cement, poultry, and general goods including prominent imports like pharmaceutical products.

Courtesy Photo