THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL TRADE Presentation to: A training workshop for DCOs on the Mandate of Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives 21st March 2013 By Raymond Agaba Commissioner Internal Trade Department 1

Outline of the presentation Mandate, Vision and Mission of Internal Trade Department Strategic Policy Interventions for Domestic Trade What is expected of the DCOs in performing the Departments Mandate. Government Policies and plans guiding the Trade Development Sector. 2

Cont. Key National Trade Policy actions of Department of Internal Trade; highlights those aimed at Private Sector Development 3

Mandate of Internal Trade Department To develop, coordinate, regulate, promote and facilitate domestic trade. Vision is to provide an enabling environment for private sector growth and competitiveness 4

Mission To ease the process of doing business in the country and be a key driver in trading the country out of poverty into wealth and prosperity. 5

Trade Policy Synergies and Complementaries/cross cutting issues Identification and exploitation of trade policy synergies and complementarities is an integral component of the trade policy. Focus on the forward and backward linkages between domestic trade, international trade, production policies and infrastructure/transport policies. 6

Internal Trade Strategic Policy Interventions Strengthening of domestic trade policies and laws Strengthen the District Commercial Office Encourage the empowerment of Disadvantaged groups to participate more in trade 7

Strategic Interventions Nurturing the private sector to make it competitive in production and Trade Ensuring that all national policies and practices on taxation and licensing are supportive of competitiveness of Uganda products. Mitigate any adverse effects of practices by the country’s trading partners by invoking and implementing trade defense measures 8

What is expected of the DCOs in performing the Departments Mandate The following section shows the linkage of the Departments key roles to the roles of the DCOs. It is important to note that the DCO Policy and reporting guidelines are also aligned to mandate of the Department. 9

Strengthening of domestic trade policies and laws The DCO is expected to participate in policy and law formulation, Implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation. This is through Carrying out evidence based research and studies to inform policy. Organize/participate in consultative processes Implementing and ensuring compliancy to the law and policy at the district 10

Strengthen the District Commercial Office The DCO is expected to identify capacity needs/carryout needs assessment for better service delivery. Ensures that the Trade is mainstreamed in the District Development Plans Participate in the mobilization of resources. 11

Encourage the empowerment of Disadvantaged groups to participate more in trade Mobilize the youth women and disabled persons to participate in trade Train the groups in entrepreneurship and Business Development Assist those operating informally to become formal etc 12

Nurturing the private sector to make it competitive in production and Trade Mobilize MSMEs and build their capacity Train MSMEs in Trade related issues Dissemination of market information through local media Work with UNBS to improve standards and quality of products. Link MSMEs to large corporations. Work with UIRI to improve production technology. 13

Ensuring that all national policies and practices on taxation and licensing are supportive of competitiveness of Uganda products. Ensuring Compliance with trade laws objectives; e.g. the Trade Licensing Act as regulatory rather than revenue maximization Be a member of the Trade Licensing Committees Guide the district on trade promotion and competitiveness issues. 14

Government Policies and plans guiding the Trade Development Sector National Development Plan Tourism Trade and Industry Strategic Plan National Trade Policy National Trade Sector Development Plan National Industrial Policy National Cooperative Development Policy National Export Strategy among others. 15

Linkage between the NDP,NTP NTSDP National Development Plan (NDP) developed in 2010 guides Government’s medium term planning. All government plans and budgets should be aligned to the NDP NDP theme is “Growth, Employment and Socio-Economic Transformation for Prosperity.. 16

Cont. Trade is regarded as a complimentary sector to the primary sectors such as Industry, Agriculture and Tourism in the NDP The National Trade Policy (NTP) 2008 is the guiding tool for the development of Trade sector. All interventions in the Trade sector should be aligned to the NTP 17

Cont. A 5 year National Trade Sector development Plan 2008 to 2013 was developed to Implement the NTP. There also exists a 5 year Tourism Trade and Industry strategic Plan 18

Roles of the DCO All DCO plans and budgets should be aligned to the NDP, NTP, NTSDP and Strategic plan. The DCO Policy and Reporting guidelines have been aligned to the NDP, NTP, NTDS and strategic plan. 19

Conclusion. From the presentation, I hope its clear, DCOs, you are our representatives in the districts and the key implementers of our Ministry and departmental mandates as already elaborated. Therefore, your success is our success. You can therefore count on our support to the extent possible. I thank you for listening to me. 20