Credit @apt_zimbabwe
UKTP stands for The United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme. It is a programme started and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The program exists in the context of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) to assist African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries utilize duty-free and quota-free preferential access to the EU and UK markets.
UKTP is designed to help ACP countries effectively use and maximise on UK EPAs opportunities. The programme was launched in 2019 and will run until 2022. It has a budget of £17 million or approximately US$23 million.
What are the goals of UKTP?
According to the UK government, the UKTP will seek to increase the amount of exports from ACP countries entering the UK/EU. This is hoped to generate quality jobs in these countries over time.
UKTP aims to achieve these goals by carrying out intervention programs that raise awareness among current and potential exporters on how to access the UK/EU market. There will also be capacity building activities targeting certain companies and products aimed at helping these companies export into the UK/EU. Furthermore, the program will also identify trade obstacles in specific countries.
What type of support will be given to exporters?
UKTP is interested in high potential and export aspiring companies that could be assisted to increase exports to the UK/EU. According to programme documents, the kind of support offered will be customised to the needs of identified firms and my include:-
- Help with logistics and supply chain
- Help meeting technical and/or quality requirements
- Help with export marketing
- Help with fostering market links
Is UKTP available in Zimbabwe?
Yes. Although first made available to ACP countries in 2019, UKTP was officially launched in Zimbabwe in November 2020.
What sectors are being targeted by UKTP in Zimbabwe?
UKTP in Zimbabwe is targeting the horticultural sector. It is thought that this sector has high potential for exports and job creation. As we also show in examples below, this sector is taking root in rural areas as well were the most impact will be felt in terms of improvement in living standards once exports increase.
In addition, horticulture has been identified as a top priority for the Zimbabwean Government. The government of Zimbabwe recently launched the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan which falls under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement.
UKTP in Zimbabwe has set a target to increase production and export capacity of as many as 600 smallholder farmers. Zimbabwe’s horticultural sector produces crops such as citrus fruits, vegetables and flowers. Some Zimbabwe established horticultural exporters include Mhimbe Fresh, Selby and Farmgate.
UKTP is working with the horticultural sector in Zimbabwe because of its high potential for employment creation and export generation. The sector produces a wide range of crops including vegetables, fruits and flowers.
What other support will UKTP offer to Zimbabwe exporters?
Apart from the especially targeted horticulture sector, UKTP will also offer assistance to businesses to access UK and EU market opportunities using digital trade platforms. The International Trade Centre (ITC), for example, is an important partner of the UKTP which operates data rich digital platforms offering trade intelligence to the export community. ITC is the implementing partner of the UKTP.