Trade Minister Directs UNBS to Cut Certification Delays, Support SMEs

Uganda's Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna, has issued a directive to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to enhance its service delivery. The minister specifically called for shorter timelines in product certification and increased support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) aiming to formalize and expand their operations.

During a meeting in Kampala with the 10th National Standards Council, Tanna emphasized the ministry's ongoing efforts to improve agency performance and boost Uganda's industrialization and economic growth. He noted persistent complaints from both SMEs and larger manufacturers regarding delays in product certification and import clearance, warning that such inefficiencies hinder business growth and competitiveness.

"I task the National Standards Council to refocus and put more emphasis on supporting growing enterprises, especially SMEs, by reducing the time taken to acquire the Quality Mark to a maximum of two weeks," Tanna stated. He believes this will allow Ugandans to better feel the impact of the standards body's work.

The UNBS plays a crucial role in Uganda's economic transformation by ensuring product safety, promoting local manufacturing, and supporting the nation's ambitious goal of expanding its economy tenfold by 2040. The minister urged the bureau to adopt practical, efficient approaches while upholding stringent quality standards. Progress reports indicated an increase in certified enterprises and a significant budget increase for UNBS, enabling new standards development and staff recruitment.

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I task the National Standards Council to refocus and put more emphasis on supporting growing enterprises, especially SMEs, by reducing the time taken to acquire the Quality Mark to a maximum of two weeks.