Africa-Press – Uganda. The Ugandan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Isaac Biruma Sebulime, is making strides towards strengthening economic ties between Uganda and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
This is aimed at advancing commercial diplomacy through the signing of bilateral agreements and Trade Mutual Recognition Agreements with the Director General of the GCC Accreditation Center, Eng. Moteb Al-Mezani, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This landmark initiative is poised to open new avenues for Uganda’s agricultural exports, particularly in high-value product categories including fruits and vegetables, cereals, and beef and dairy products.
These priority sectors align with the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), which identifies agricultural value chains as critical drivers of Uganda’s economic transformation and export diversification.
The discussions, held at the Uganda Embassy in Riyadh and later at the GCC Accreditation Center offices, underscore a shared commitment to deepening economic collaboration through harmonized standards and mutual trust in certification systems.
The agreements in progress will facilitate the recognition of Uganda’s Halal certification and quality standards across GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Yemen.
Ambassador Sebulime emphasized the importance of mutual recognition in accelerating Uganda’s market access to the Gulf region.
He noted that building trust in Uganda’s regulatory and quality assurance systems is crucial for long-term trade sustainability.
The engagement reflects a broader diplomatic and economic vision of positioning Uganda as a reliable supplier of high-quality agricultural products to international markets.
The commitment also highlights the growing role of Halal certification as a gateway to global markets. With credible Halal certification now an essential prerequisite for food exports to Muslim-majority countries, Uganda’s Halal Assurance Institute (HAIU) is playing a strategic role in ensuring that local producers and processors meet the stringent Halal and quality standards set by the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO).
A robust quality infrastructure is steadily taking shape in Uganda, anchored by internationally recognized standards and supported by institutions such as the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and HAIU.
This framework is providing assurance to trade partners in the GCC that Ugandan products are safe, compliant, and ethically sourced.
Eng. Moteb Al-Mezani welcomed Uganda’s proactive engagement and reiterated the GCC Accreditation Center’s readiness to support Uganda in aligning its Halal certification and quality systems with GCC standards.
This includes training, assessments, and capacity building for Ugandan Halal Certification Bodies to ensure consistency and compliance with international expectations.
As Uganda continues to strengthen its quality infrastructure and forge strategic partnerships, these bilateral engagements signal a promising future for its agricultural exports.
Through commercial diplomacy and mutual recognition, Uganda is unlocking new market opportunities in the GCC and reinforcing its position as a trusted trade partner in the global Halal economy.
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