Under the theme: “Unlocking Opportunities, Building Bridges through Trade and Investment,” Uganda together with United Arab Emirates are set to sign permanent Joint Commission to boost joint bilateral trade relations.
The forum, organized by the Uganda Investment Authority and the UAE Embassy in Kampala, features high-level government officials and business leaders discussing policy reforms, supply chain integration and sustainable development.
The three-day event also aims to bolster partnerships in investment, tourism, innovation and exports and Joint ventures between UAE and Uganda companies .
Uganda and the United Arab Emirates have convened their fourth annual business forum taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The forum highlights a rapid economic convergence where the UAE has surpassed traditional East African partners, like Kenya and Tanzania, to become Uganda’s largest export market. This trade is dominated by gold shipments, accounting for more than $1 billion annually.
“This growth underscores the UAE’s role as a gateway for Ugandan goods to global markets,” Zaake Kibedi, Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, said.
According to Ambassador Kibedi Foreign direct investment from the Gulf nation has seen a tenfold increase, reaching $3.5 billion in 2024 rising from $600million
“With six weekly flights between the nations via Emirates and Flydubai, the event seeks to accelerate momentum built since diplomatic relations began in 1971.,”Kibedi stated
State Minister for Investment Evelyn Anite urged United Arab Emirates Business community to come and invest in Uganda citing peace and good investment environment available under the Nrm regime.
Anite further urged Ugandan Ambassadors in other countries to focus on commercial diplomacy to grow Uganda bilaterials relations and trade.
She said Uganda will rely on partners like UAE to realize the planned tenfold growth economy going forward.