QINGDAO, China – In a historic move to strengthen South-South cooperation, Uganda and the Chinese coastal metropolis of Qingdao today launched their first-ever Agricultural Trade and Investment Conference. The high-level forum, held in Qingdao, marks a significant step in positioning Uganda as a premier investment gateway to East and Central African markets.
The event was jointly hosted by the Embassy of Uganda in Beijing, the Qingdao Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, and the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. It featured a powerful Ugandan delegation led by Her Excellency Ambassador Oliver Wonekha and comprising senior officials from Uganda’s Foreign Affairs and Agriculture ministries, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), and private sector leaders.
Uganda Pitches Strategic Investment Advantages
Central to the conference was Uganda’s direct appeal to Chinese agribusiness and manufacturing investors. Ambassador Wonekha underscored the nation’s compelling value proposition, highlighting its sustained political stability, a vast and youthful skilled workforce, and a strategic location offering duty-free access to the expansive markets of the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Uganda is prepared for transformative partnerships grounded in industrialization, technology transfer, investment financing, and trade facilitation,” Wonekha stated in her keynote address. She emphasized “exceptional opportunities” in agricultural production, value addition, and manufacturing tailored for regional and continental supply chains.
Qingdao’s Agri-Tech Prowess Meets Uganda’s Potential
Qingdao, renowned for its advanced capabilities in modern agriculture, aquaculture, and agro-processing technology, was presented as a natural partner for Uganda. Mr. Cui Zuo, representing Qingdao authorities, highlighted the strong complementarity between the two sides. “We see Uganda as a natural partner for expanding agricultural cooperation and building mutually beneficial industrial value chains,” he said, pointing to shared development priorities.
Incentives and Invitation for Chinese Capital
Echoing the investment call, Mr. Fred Kakooza, Deputy Director General of the UIA’s One-Stop Centre, detailed the incentives awaiting Chinese investors. He pointed to Uganda’s generous tax breaks, robust legal protections for foreign capital, and vast, untapped potential across the agricultural and agro-processing sectors.
“We invite Chinese partners to establish manufacturing and processing hubs in Uganda for regional export,” Kakooza urged, positioning the country as a cost-effective production base for the African market.
Conference Sets Clear Bilateral Objectives
The inaugural conference established a clear framework for future collaboration, with stated aims to:
1. Promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
2. Attract Chinese investment into Uganda’s agriculture and agro-processing sectors.
3. Facilitate technology transfer and capacity building.
4. Establish long-term agricultural value-chain partnerships.
5. Position Uganda as a manufacturing and export hub for African markets.
This partnership initiative signifies a focused effort by Uganda to diversify its economic partnerships and leverage Chinese expertise and investment to transform its agricultural sector, a cornerstone of its national economy.
For further information, contact:
Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Beijing
Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Office
Phone:+86 (0)10-6532-3642
Email:beijing@mofa.go.ug
Address:No. 3, Sanlitun Dongwujie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
