UNIDO urges local industrialists to develop clusters

The local business community should develop clusters if they are to deliver high quality products on the market, according to United Nations for Industrialisation Development Organisation (UNIDO). Emmanuel Karenzi, UNIDO’s country Representative said, that through cluster development local producers will be able to share knowledge and experience, paving way for industrialisation opportunities. While speaking on Friday last week during the cerebration of the African Industrialisation day, Karenzi said that developing clusters will boost industrialists’ bargaining power in the market and access to financial services. In his presentation, Karenzi noted that UNIDO has helped different industries to demonstrate technologies, facilitated training programmes and assisted industrialists to showcase their products. UNIDO promised to set up collaborative networks, regular meetings to evaluate the progress and engage partners in the process of support industrial services. Some of the challenges highlighted on the national level include low balance of payment, low technology level and high costs of transport and energy infrastructure. Stakeholders said that at the industry level they lack waste management techniques and recycling technologies, lack of conservation and transformation skills.Canisius Karuranga, UNIDO’s National expert in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that there is lack of coordination in the sector for export diversification. He noted that the government needs to be determined in the move to industrialisation. Some of the potential possessed by the government for industrialisation include policies, and continued favourable business environment. Ends