By Shamim Saad and Barbra Nambuya
The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) will be hosting the second annual Uganda – United Arab Emirates (UAE) Business Forum from 10 – 13 October 2023 in Kampala, Uganda.
The event will take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo under the theme: “Uganda; the gateway of the UAE to the EAC region”.
The event is aimed at fostering Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), boost exports, promote tourism, facilitate technology transfers, and strengthen ties between the two nations.
Speaking during a media press briefing held at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) in Kampala on Friday, October 6, 2023, the Minister for Investment and Privatization, Hon Evelyn Anite said the key objective of the forum is to facilitate dialogue between the Ugandan government, business community and the UAE government and business community.
“The four-day event will provide a business meeting platform that will bring under one roof trade and investment policymakers, business leaders, trade support institutions, from Uganda and the UAE to network, exchange experiences and explore win-win investment and trade opportunities,” she alluded
The UIA’s Director General, Robert Mukiza noted that the forum will seek to mobilise private and public investments in priority sectors in Uganda by presenting the investment opportunities offered by the country to UAE investors.
“It will provide UAE investors with a better understanding of the current business climate, the government’s vision, the export potential, and investment opportunities that Uganda offers, and opportunities for meetings with local entrepreneurs who have viable business projects and are interested in developing sustainable business relationships,” he explained.
Adding “The foreign participants will also meet with policy makers and support institutions that promote and facilitate investing in and exports Uganda”.
This year’s Forum is to maintain the momentum that was achieved as a result of Uganda’s participation at Dubai World Expo 2020 and to build on the success of the inaugural Business Forum that was held in 2022.
The Uganda Ambassador to UAE Zaake Kibedi mentioned that FDI from UAE to Uganda has surged from $300 million in 2018 to $3 billion in 2023. Bilateral trade has also seen substantial growth.
Uganda exported goods and services to UAE worth US$ 562 M in 2020, which increased to US$ 1 Billion in 2021 and imported goods and services from UAE worth US$ 46.5 M in 1997, which increased to US$ 1.04 Billion in 2022.
The Forum will be attended by approximately 200 participants from the Uganda and UAE
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