Regional counterparts Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have embarked on a strategic campaign of training program to promote the export sector in the East African Community.

The training dubbed Trainers of Trainers is supported by the Netherlands government through the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) in collaboration with the Uganda Export Promotion Board.

"Its aim is to increase the production and improve the quality of exports to the European Union (EU)," CBI Consultant Dorothy Tuma was quoted by Daily Monitor on Saturday as saying at the on- going training of 30 trainers from the East Africa region in Entebbe.

Each of the three countries sent 10 representatives for the training, who will then go back and train others on how to penetrate the EU market. Training of experts is in full gear and is expected to end in June.

"At the end of it all, exporters will earn a premium price, the people's standard of living will improve, more taxes will be realized and poverty will be eradicated," she said.

Tuma said the trainees were the last batch of consultants under the program.

Since 2005, at least 90 consultants from the three countries have attained skills in the training sessions, which were conducted in Uganda, Kenya Tanzania and the Netherlands.

Some of the participants said the training has helped them find answers to questions people have been asking about the EU markets particularly on issues pertaining to quality standards, sustaining supplies and finding and keeping markets.

"The training was timely and I hope with the knowledge I have attained I will be able to help my people find markets," said Dora Waruiru who helps Kenyan producers to export.

"Producers in my country have faced the challenge of meeting the high quality standards required by the EU market," said Mariam Tambwe from Tanzania, noting other challenges include packaging and documentation.

Source: Xinhua