Uganda has launched its first Agricultural Trade and Investment Conference in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, in a historic move aimed at boosting bilateral trade and attracting investment in agriculture and agro-processing.
The event, hosted on December 10 by the Embassy of Uganda in Beijing in partnership with the Qingdao Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, brought together a high-level Ugandan delegation led by Ambassador Oliver Wonekha.
The delegation included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), and private-sector representatives.
In her keynote address, Amb Wonekha highlighted Uganda's stability, youthful workforce, and agricultural potential as compelling reasons for investors to partner with the country.
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"Uganda is prepared for transformative partnerships grounded in industrialization, technology transfer, investment financing, and trade facilitation," she said.
"Uganda presents exceptional opportunities in agricultural production, value addition, and manufacturing for both regional and continental markets. We are here to connect with partners who recognise Uganda's long-term potential."
Representatives from Qingdao, including Mr. Cui Zuo, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Qingdao Municipal Committee and President of the Qingdao General Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the initiative.
"Qingdao has developed advanced capabilities in modern agriculture, aquaculture, and agri-technology. We see Uganda as a natural partner for expanding agricultural cooperation and building mutually beneficial industrial value chains," he said.
Addressing Chinese investors, Mr Fred Kakooza, deputy director general of UIA's One-Stop Centre, emphasized Uganda's readiness to host large-scale agricultural and manufacturing investments.
"With generous tax incentives, strong protections for foreign investors, and vast opportunities across agriculture, manufacturing, and agro-processing, we invite Chinese partners to establish manufacturing and processing hubs in Uganda for regional export," he said.
The Uganda-Qingdao Agricultural Trade and Investment Conference seeks to promote bilateral trade, facilitate technology transfer, build capacity, and position Uganda as a manufacturing and export hub for African markets.
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Organisers hope the forum will lay the foundation for long-term partnerships and strengthen Uganda's presence in international agricultural value chains.
