Women entrepreneurs from China and Uganda have unveiled a collaborative initiative aimed at expanding the export market for Ugandan products in China. This effort, backed by the Hunan Women’s Federation, was disclosed during a visit by a Chinese delegation to the UN Women offices in Kampala. The initiative’s inception coincides with the conclusion of the annual China-Africa Trade Expo held in Hunan Province in June.
The primary objective of this joint initiative is to establish trade hubs that facilitate communication, idea exchange, and mutual support for women entrepreneurs from both China and Africa. Dr. Paulina Chiwangu, the UN Women country representative, highlighted the potential of this partnership in fostering increased trade relations and revenue generation for women entrepreneurs in Uganda and China.
Dr. Chiwangu emphasized the need to uplift women in business, as a significant portion of them operate on a small scale within the informal economy, accounting for approximately 30% of business operators in Uganda. Collaboration with China presents an opportunity for Ugandan women to boost their income and livelihood by expanding exports to larger markets.
Notably, China and Uganda are actively engaged in cooperation programs across various sectors, including industrialization, trade, investment, healthcare, poverty reduction, agricultural mechanization, financial services, infrastructure development, digital innovation, and capacity building, among others.
Fang Huang, the chairperson of the Hunan Women’s Federation, expressed the Federation’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ugandan women entrepreneurs. They aim to develop strategies to empower Ugandan women, enabling them to gain a competitive advantage in the Chinese market. China’s demand for agricultural products presents a substantial opportunity for Ugandan women, provided they receive adequate support.
Ms. Huang pointed out that while there is a demand for agricultural products in China, the supply remains insufficient. She encouraged Ugandan women to leverage the power of collective efforts to cater to one of the world’s largest markets. The collaborative initiative seeks to bridge this supply-demand gap and enhance opportunities for Ugandan women in the Chinese market.
