It was recognized that trade policies, exchange rate policies and industrial policies should form part of an integrated policy framework if the  2  BIS Review 102/2007  aim was to improve the overall productivity, competitiveness and efficiency of the economic system, in general, and the external sector, in particular.
Over the year to September 2016, the commercial banks had to make provisions of Shs 345 billion for NPLs, which is double the amount set aside in the previous 12 months. These provisions squeezed profits, with average after tax returns on equity falling to 14.9 percent in the 12 months to September 2016 compared to 17.1 percent in the previous 12 months.