DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 18 -- THE drive to position East Africas enterprises at the forefront of regional and global trade is gaining renewed momentum under the European Union-funded Market Access Upgrade Programme Phase II (MARKUP II).

Implemented in partnership with the International Trade Centre, MARKUP II is deepening efforts to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the East African Community meet the quality standards required to compete effectively in both regional and international markets.

Now in its second year of implementation, the four-year MARKUP II project builds on the gains of its predecessor, MARKUP I. One of its most transformative innovations has been the creation and strengthening of national teams...