Over 500 Logistics Sector Players from East Africa And around the globe are converging at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala for the 2nd Global Logistics Convention 2018 aimed at finding ways to improve the sector.

The convention is organized by Uganda Freight Forwards Association (UFFA) and is sponsored by the Department for International Development (DFID) through TradeMark Africa (TMA)

During the first day of the event, the participants including Government officials, the private sector and development partners, emphasized the importance of the Logistics and Transport Sector in facilitation of trade and development in the East Africa Community (EAC)

Adrian Green, the head of Growth and Economic Management at UKAid, which has been at the forefront of supporting trade facilitation in EAC through TMA, noted; “Sustainable development is directly linked to how the logistics sector facilitates trade. Perhaps for a long time, Development partners have overlooked this and focused on rural development and ignored that we need to focus as well on logistics and transportation.”

He added, “As development partners, we recognize the critical importance of this sector and would like to help address the key challenges facing this sector”

According to Allan Ngugi, the in-charge of capacity building for the logistics industry at TMA, the organization with aid from DFID will roll out a capacity building program to improve skills for SMEs, improve capacity of bonded warehouses and training E.A customs and Freight forwarders drivers

“This is aimed at improving their efficiency and professionalism in the logistics sector. We are working with UFFA and the National Logistics Platform to make sure that we offer the technical assistance to help the sector move forward” Ngugi said.

In his remarks, the Commissioner customs at Uganda Revenue Authority, Dickson Kateshumbwa asked the private players in logistics to be conscious of simple factors that are limiting growth in the sector

“Customers need their goods to move in the shortest time possible. We have put in place measures to eliminate any delays in clearing and movement of goods. However your unprofessional drivers who keep stopping at each trading centers are the biggest problem. It is very important to encourage professionalism in the sector and improve customer service so that the sector can grow” He said.

The event which ends today, is offering participates a unique opportunity to share best practices in trade and policy, to engage with a range of stakeholders to redefine the changing roles, responsibilities and emerging developments of transport and trade logistics as a drive for productivity and competitiveness

Source Chimp Reports

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.