Oct. 28, 2006

Uganda Joins EA Business Forum

Yasiin Mugerwa - The Monitor (Kampala) NEWS

AFTER a stretch of diplomatic negotiations, Uganda will participate in the East African investment forum for Small and Medium Enterprises slated to take place in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

The event, expected to run from November 19-21, will be coordinated by the ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry, according to statement to the Daily Monitor on October 21.

"East African countries need to exploit business opportunities in the region. The issue of the EA Customs Union will be discussed in addition to foreign investment ventures. This is an opportunity for the business community to expose the EA business power," the statement reads in part.

The forum whose theme is Trade and Investment: Growth through global partnership will discuss opportunities for investment partnerships in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

The event to be held in conjunction with the Common Wealth Business Council is expected to draw a high number of participants as a show of support to the much-publicised East African Federation.

East African Business Council advocates for the formation of private-public sector alliances to strengthen small and Medium size Enterprises' development.

Therefore, the forum aims at pooling resources to develop infrastructure in East Africa on a regional scale and strengthening business ties in the region.

"We are confident, our participation will increase Uganda's international trade and investment flows, creating new business opportunities, reducing the digital divide and helping us integrate into the global market," Serapio Rukundo State Minister for Tourism said on October 21.

The forum is a follow-up event to the operations of the body founded in November 1997 as an apex body of business associations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

This will come as a timely event in view of the great trade expectations to come with the success of the federation.

German Technical Cooperation, an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations, Celtel International and Commonwealth Business Council are among the main sponsors of the forum.
 		  
 

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