Ugandan Business Linkage Training Video

The video

The CARC was commissioned by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in November 2007 to research, write and produce a training video of its Business Linkages Programme in Uganda The video was shown at the UNCTAD XII quadrennial conference in Accra, Ghana on April 24, 2008, and also on the Ugandan National Television Channel. The project manager was Samuel Passow. The three month project, which included an 11-day field trip to Kampala was conducted for a project fee of €19,438 (£15,325).

The main objective of UN programme in Uganda is to enhance the productive capacity, efficiency and competitiveness of the domestic private sector by promoting durable and mutually beneficial partnerships between affiliates of Transnational Corporations and large local companies and small to medium size firms (SMEs). The video has also been used by UNCTAD to demonstrate the business linkage programme to new clients in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia.

Empirical evidence shows that strong business linkages can be one of the most effective ways for businesses to integrate, grow and secure footholds in emerging markets. The Business Linkage Programmes are currently operational in Brazil, Uganda and Viet Nam and build on UNCTAD’s research and practical experience in the area of small and medium–sized enterprise (SME) development and entrepreneurship.

The key activities of the programme include:

  • Upgrading local businesses to meet international standards;

  • Strengthening small businesses to become dependable partners for large companies;

  • Providing policy advice on improving the environment for sustainable business linkages;

  • Sharing effective international business linkage strategies with the various stakeholders;

  • Involving companies in cost–sharing with a view to operational sustainability.

IIn Uganda, six firms have linked with 26 local businesses to streamline their supply chains. The linkages will support a host of local farmers, manufactures and distributors. For example, Uganda Breweries will assist in upgrading over 2,000 farmers. In Western Uganda, Kinyara Sugar Works Limited strengthened its link with Kinyara Sugarcane Growers Limited, thereby benefiting about 2,500 local farmers.

UNCTAD’s partners in the Business Linkages Programme in Uganda include Enterprise Uganda, the Uganda Investment Authority, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Uganda

Production credits for the video: Written and directed by Samuel Passow; narrated by Paul Bakibinga; camera crew: Bart Kakooza, Emmanuel Mulindwa, Jean-Philippe Escard; music by Richard Kawesa; graphics and editing by Karen Barber, still photos and grahic images from Dreamstime.com.