KAMPALA, Uganda – Business people wishing to clear their goods with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, (UNBS) will not have to wait for weeks before getting feedback. The new ePortal online system is now in place.

The ePortal commonly referred to as the import inspection and clearance information management system is a joint initiative by UNBS and TradeMark Africa (TMA), a non for profit organisation that seeks to unlock the economic potential of the East African community through improving physical access to the markets, enhancing trade environment and increasing competitiveness. The joint partnership is geared towards enhancing efficiency in capacity of the bureau in serving the trade community better in areas of inspection and quality assurance of goods coming into and leaving the country for the international trade.

According to the Executive Director UNBS, Ben Manyindo, the implementation of the system will enable importers to access UNBS services regardless of their location through online services as opposed to actual visit to UNBS offices to perform the transactions. Importers will be able to apply for import clearance certification, receive timely notifications and email through electronic means and also be able to make appeal applications and get approval in real time in case their goods are being held by the officials.

“This project comes with numerous benefits to UNBS and traders. Transiting from a manual system to an online system saves time and money. You do not have to look for UNBS official to obtain an application form or monitor the clearance process. That will be done online at the comfortable of your place. We have to thank TradeMark for this system because we can see it is already changing the way we have been performing,” Manyindo said.

He added that the system which has been half operationally for a year now having been under redevelopment by Data Care limited in close inspection by UNBS ad trademark has already saved them over UGX 1bn on booklets, photocopies, printing ink and also the time spent to clear one agent meaning that they will be clearing more people in a short time. He noted that an agent would need one hour to clear all the papers for one agent but now they only need 10minutes to do the same work.

According to him, the system is fully developed and ready for use with six workers already trained; including inspectors and ICT officers who will overlook the system and the hardware is already in place as well. All traders can start using the system after getting clearance with the bureau.

While officiating at the launch that took place at serene Hotel Kampala, Amelia Kyambadde, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives said as government, they were dedicated to creating a favourable and conducive environment for trade in Uganda and the launch came in at the right time when Ugandan goods are being doubted in terms of their standards. She asked UNBS to use the system to improve and fasten the inspection of goods for exporting and those coming in as a way of improving the economy but also making sure that the health and lives of Ugandans is not put at stake. She also asked traders to take advantage of this system because it saves time and money but also allows them to make complaints and get timely feedback in case they are unsatisfied with the services offered by the clearing agents.

“We must thank TMA for this milestone achievement. This system will not only facilitate trade but will eliminate corruption as there will be limited confrontation with humans. Instead of calling someone and bribing them to help you have your goods inspected and released in time, this will be done directly to the concerned officials in an email. I am informed the development of this system has been piloted with the clearing agents and the training on how to use the system has been undertaken. We hope to see real change with in the business community as far as clearing goods is concerned,” Hon. Kyambadde said.

The TMA country Manager, Allen Asiimwe said they were impressed with UNBS for the effort put in to embrace these new technologies. She said the system will be 72 companies in one year and already works on over 790 transactions since it started. She said they are dedicated to making sure that exports are improved through increasing competitiveness of the traders. She also noted that this system will be embedded within the already installed electronic systems being used by the URA like Asycuda World and single electronic system and all these will be facilitated by the One Stop Border Posts on different Uganda borders.

Source: East African Business Week

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.