Kampala — Orange Uganda was awarded best exhibitor in the ICT and Internet Sector at the 17th Uganda International Trade Fair organised by the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA).

Orange used the 2009 show to launch their Mobile Internet and Internet Everywhere service that allow easy internet access from a mobile phone or computer, in all areas where Orange has 3G and EDGE coverage.

The service comes with a wireless mobile modem that goes for Shs 350, 000 and three months of unlimited internet access. Orange clients who opt for the company's data only sim card will part with Shs 250, 000 to access three months of unlimited Internet access.

With more market players like i-tel joining the market, prices of internet services are expected to go down.

Uganda's flower exports wither

Uganda's fresh flower exports could soon fall off top spot among the country's non-traditional exports list. Demand for fresh flowers has remained low since the start of the global financial meltdown. According to Uganda Flower Exporters Association, the sector has had no new investors and some growers are reducing their operations. A key player, Victoria Flowers, has closed shop. Uganda produced 6,700 tonnes of flowers worth $34m in 2008 but output could drop in 2009. The high fuel costs, unreliable power, high airfreight costs, lack of new investors and the spillover effects of the global financial meltdown are stifling the industry. Five years ago, flower growers anticipated sales would double in three years with government support. But progress is reportedly being hindered by high production costs and interest rates. Setting up a commercial flower farm costs close to $1m.

There are 19 flower farms in Uganda covering 200 acres, mainly in the central region. The sector employs about 6,500 people. Most of its flower exports are to the European Union.

Stanbic Bank gives dividends

Stanbic Bank Uganda will on Oct. 30 begin a dividend payout for the half-year period ended June 30, 2009. During an extraordinary meeting held on Aug. 24, the bank's Board of Directors declared an interim dividend of Shs 5.27 per share totaling to Shs 27 billion. Only shareholders who were on the register at the close of business on Sept. 30 are eligible for the dividend. Stanbic Bank posted the financial industry's best half-year results, making a pretax profit of Shs 62.3 billion, a 45% growth over the previous period 2008. Its assets also grew to Shs 1.6 trillion from 1.5 trillion the previous period. The bank's performance was achieved during an economic environment of slow demand, rising costs of living and declining household income as a result of the spill over effects of the global financial meltdown.

UIA lined up for African trophy

The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has been nominated for the Award of Investment Promotion Agency of the year 2009 in the Africa Investor Investment and Business Leader Awards 2009. The Africa investor Awards are a pan-African investment awards that recognise and reward the achievements of the private sector across a wide range of sectors and disciplines. The Awards will take place during a gathering of global finance and business leaders at the Africa investor CEO Forum and UNEP Finance Initiative Global Roundtable Gala Dinner on Oct. 22, in Cape Town, South Africa. This year's awards will place particular emphasis on recognizing the continent's business leaders who have navigated their organisations through the global financial crisis. Under the category of Investment Promotion Agency of the Year, UIA is competing with the Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) and the Board of Investment of Mauritius (BoIM).

Clays receives UMA award

Uganda Clays Ltd (UCL), the largest distributor of baked clay building products in the East African region, won the 17th Uganda International Trade Fair award for the best exhibitor in the category of non-metallic products. The fair is organised by the Uganda Manufacturer's association. Gideon Badaggawa, the UMA Chief Executive Office said "the criteria considered the overall appearance of stands, quality of products exhibited and availability of business information, management of feedback from visitors and general interpretation of the theme." Uganda Clays has always participated in the trade fair since its conception in 1992. Up to 900 exhibitors took part in this year's trade fair. UCL recently opened a new Hi-tech factory in Kamonkoli with the aim of meeting the export demand for quality building materials in the East African Region.

E.A to market as one tourist destination

The East African nations have agreed on a plan to jointly market the region as a single tourist destination. The move aims at maximising the benefits of tourism and wildlife in the region as stipulated in the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. This follows the near completion of the Common Market Protocol which is seen as the road map to adopt free movement of people, goods and services. This will give the region a clear way for a common tourist visa. The East African Tourism and Wildlife Coordination Agency will be mandated to mobilise resources and coordinate tourism bodies of the partner states. It will harmonise required policies to brand the region as a powerful tourist destination. Under the proposed plan, classification of hotels and restaurants within the region will be standardised. Each individual country will operate under its own budget but when going for trade fairs abroad, they will operate under one roof. In this respect, the countries will continue to compete and cooperate with each other, a move aimed at bringing out quality and efficiency.