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{
"id": 238044,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/238044/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Poghisio",
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"speaker": {
"id": 202,
"legal_name": "Samuel Losuron Poghisio",
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the livestock sector needs to be considered in terms of export. People who have been exporting livestock have come up with their own policies to control the trade. They have made negotiations on their own and there is no co- ordination on the type of livestock to be exported. There are no policies regarding how to develop the sector within the country for export and even for import, if need be. If this Bill is brought to the House, it will force the Government to consider what kind of products we have. I do not think I am communicating to the people who need to hear this. My complaint is that those who are here are not listening to what we are saying. The idea of External and Internal Trade Co-ordination and Promotion Authorities working together with the National Chamber of Commerce and Joint Trade Advisory Board will make it clear to us who should operate in what sector. It will enhance our production domestically so that we can know exactly which sector we are serving and which sector we need to assist to move a notch higher in terms of export. This will also help us develop a number of products for export. At the moment, we depend on agricultural products such as coffee and tea, although we can do much better. That is why it is wrong for us not to attend debate on this Motion which is thoughtful and will spur economic development. My colleague, Mr. Syongo, has given some statistics showing that the distributive trade sector and related services account for more than 20 per cent of the country's GDP and employment. That is a high percentage which should be considered. The sectors play a big role in economic development. I would like to support this Motion and call upon hon. Members to do the same since it is a discussion about the economy of the country. It is a discussion taking place at a time when we are going to a general election. The subject needs to be given a section in the manifestos of political parties that we will be vying for the various positions in the country. We do not have anything of this kind in existence. Where we have policies that are sympathetic to this course and to this Motion, there is need for the various Ministries in charge to get co-ordinated. At the moment, we have no co-ordination on how to deal with the WTO and the ACP/EU issues. One hand does not know what the other is doing. We need, in this particular matter, that kind of co-ordination, whereby various Ministries have ministerial co-ordination units to take care of the trade agenda provided for in this Bill. Much as this Motion is not asking for much, there is not much to talk about now, except to support that leave be granted to introduce a Bill for an Act of Parliament which will help us develop the right policies for trade, so that we can lay out the different sectors like the manufacturing, agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors. Those are the areas where we have an opportunity to expand our trade. In terms of the livestock and livestock products, where my interests are, we have many animals, but we do not provide much in terms of quality. This is the kind of thing that should lead us to remove all the quarantine issues surrounding our livestock, which are making it difficult for us to export right now. We need to improve our policies in terms of doing away with the old breeds 3116 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES October 25, 2006 of cattle. Pastoralists are still depending on ancient breeds like the zebus and Boran cattle. In terms of goats and sheep, we need to develop a variety of breeds that will be useful to the domestic market, as well as the export market. I think those are some of the issues we need to work towards. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, I would like to say that it is true what my colleague has said, that despite the role that is played by this sector of our economy, distributive trade is presently being conducted haphazardly due to lack of structured institutions and legal framework. We are being sectoral in dealing with our trade. Every sector, for instance coffee and tea, has been depending on its own terms. No one has ever thought about co-ordinated approach to our economy. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, recently, Members of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee travelled out of this country to learn more on what can be done for our country in terms of foreign policies. What has emerged is that most of our foreign policies will be trade-based or commercially-based. We need to develop this idea so that all the trade fairs that take place in our foreign missions are inclusive, rather than simply promoting the sale of only tea and coffee. Products like pyrethrum are equally important and are required everywhere. So, just to make sure we expand our spectrum, we need to take this Motion seriously. I challenge the Government side to call all those concerned to come to the House to listen and take note of such an important Motion. I thank my colleague for bringing it to the House. With those remarks, I beg to support."
}