Hon Minister, What we are signing now is part of one component of Swedish supported programme on Private Sector Development and International Trade - within the overall objective of the Swedish development cooperation with Uganda on increased respect for and enjoyment of human rights and democratic principles. Economic growth and prosperity - in Sweden as well as in other parts of the world - has largely been built through economic integration and trade. This is not breaking news to anyone.Worldwide trade is increasing and trade patterns are changing. Increased economic integration, in combination with new technology, brings markets, competitors and trade partners closer together.This development also poses new challenges. We need to move up the value chain, to add more knowledge and competence to the goods and services that we produce. This enhances our prospects to be more competitive in global markets.A proactive policy for free trade and openness is fundamental in our efforts for growth. It is fundamental for job creation and prosperity in Sweden as well as in Uganda. It is good for business, it is for competition and it is good for consumers.
To be able to compete, to export but also import quality goods - quality and standards are of increasing importance. To have an internationally recognized system established is a requirement in order to trade and sell your products internationally. It is also important for local trade and for consumer and environmental protection. We know that Ugandan consumers have also been facing substandard products and fake goods.
Sweden is very happy to provide support to the this important programme, the National Quality and Infrastructure Programme. It is a very relevant and well worked out programme with important and ambitious objectives. It is also part of our overall development programme with Uganda, to contribute to equitable and sustainable development as a basis for poverty reduction. I am convinced that cooperation with Sweden is especially well placed in this respect. We are a small country very dependent on international trade. More than 50% of our GDP is based on exports. We have developed well functioning structures for standards, accreditation and quality. Some of these organisations, such as the Board of Accreditation and the Swedish Institute for Standards have also been instrumental and provided support in the development of similar structures in countries around the world. Success of the programme requires strong involvement and participation from a number of stakeholders - both public and private. For the long term sustainability of the system developed, the role of the private sectors is key. I can take an example. The Swedish Standards Institute is today a membership organisation receiving most of its funding from their members, that is the private sector. The same goes for the Swedish Board of Accreditation which is mainly financed through fees paid by the companies using their services. Sustainability requires firm ownership. When developing and establishing the quality infrastructure, it is key to make sure that it complies with international recognized principles and that the private sector is on board. Of equal importance is that the main actors – the private companies - se standards and quality as something they can gain from and in order to have a more profitable business. We look very much forward to working together with you in this important area and will follow the work and achievements closely. The agreement contains a number of important issues to be addressed such as proper planning, review, reporting and evaluation, auditing and cooperation to counteract corruption.
If you achieve what you have set out to do, Uganda will be in the fore front of quality and standards in the region.