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Uganda: Syrian Textile Manufacturers Invited
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The Monitor (Kampala)
24 March 2008
Posted to the web 24 March 2008
Kampala
The State Minister for trade, Eng. Nelson Gagawala has invited Syrian textile manufacturers to come and set up high-quality underwear" manufacturing plant in Uganda. With the country's bountiful organic cotton, Mr Gagawala suggested such an investment would be strategically wise decision and could even yield vast profits for the investor.
He made the appeal at the Syrian products exhibition at the Lugogo on Friday, March 21st. The exhibition was organised by a Syrian company, Dasouki Afro-Arabian Agency and attracted about 30 companies. "I have seen Syrian make premium cotton underwear and since Uganda's cotton is the envy of many across the world, I think Syrian investors should come and start a manufacturing business here," he said.
Although Uganda produces one of the world's finest cotton, nearly all of it is exported in raw because the country lacks capacity to process it into garments.
Two plants that had been set up to create this capacity--Phoenix Logistics and Tri Star Apparels--are now in limbo after they were mismanaged by foreigners. Ugandan taxpayers lost about Shs 20 billion in Tri Star alone while Phoenix also failed to pay back a Shs 5 billion government loan and has now been converted into equity.
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Merchandise on display at Lugogo ranged from leather products to apparels and jewellery. The chairman of the Dasouki company, Mr Mohammed Dasouki said he conceived the idea of mobilising Syrians to come to exhibit in Kampala after attending one of the annual UMA-organised international trade fares.
"I realised Uganda's economy was so vibrant with so many opportunities and decided to organised Syrian companies to come and explore for these opportunities and that begins with showcasing what they sell," he said.
The show started on Friday and will end on March 31.
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