The €35 million programme dubbed Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) is funded by the EU as part of the 11th European Development Fund. The programme will be implemented over a four-year period under overall supervision from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat. Two of the most important technical implementation partners are the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Agribusinesses in EAC countries are set to benefit from greater business opportunities in both East African and European markets thanks to this new EU initiative. Unveiled last week in Arusha, Tanzania, the programme is set to provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region to improve access to EU markets and increase inter-regional trade. According to the secretariat, MARKUP sets out to support East African SMEs specialized in a variety of sectors, including avocado, cocoa, coffee, horticulture, spices and tea. Interventions will focus on the identification and elimination of barriers to trade; improving competitiveness; strengthening of value addition for selected priority sectors; ensuring compliance with international regulations; provide access to trade finance ventures; and supporting the identification of opportunities for trade and foreign direct investments.

Source: exchange.co.tz