The Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II), funded by the European Union (EU) from 2023-2027, aims to enhance economic development in the East African Community (EAC) through sustainable intra-African and EU-Africa trade. Focused on improving livelihoods, employment, and export competitiveness for MSMEs, the program supports the development of key export-oriented value chains. The second phase targets strengthening MSMEs' competitiveness, emphasizing value addition and diversification, and addressing market regulations and environmental and social criteria.

Deforestation is identified as a critical global challenge with significant implications for the environment, society, and the economy. The International Trade Centre (ITC) organizes a webinar under MARKUP II to discuss EU Green Deal regulations and the Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), emphasizing the importance of mitigating deforestation in agricultural commodity production.