Pretoria - Businesses can create much-needed trade linkages to explore future business opportunities and integrate the African continent, says South African Ambassador to Uganda, General Lekoa Mollo.
The Ambassador’s comments come as the Department of Trade and Industry is leading a business delegation to Uganda on an outward selling and investment mission (OSIM).
Speaking at a South Africa-Uganda trade and investment seminar in Kampala on Tuesday, Ambassador Mollo said there are still many opportunities for partnerships between the business communities in South African and Uganda.
These opportunities - especially in the agro-processing sector and construction - can be explored.
“In light of the growing importance of Uganda as a business partner, several agreements have been signed between Uganda and South Africa culminating in the Joint Trade Agreement (JTC) which was signed in 2010 and the first ever JTC meeting took place in 2014 hosted by the Ministry of Trade in Uganda,” said Ambassador Mollo.
Ambassador Mollo commended the Ugandan government for its continuous support to South African investors through setting up a one-stop centre at the Uganda Investment Authority to facilitate investment in that country.
“There has been progress in securing long term business visas for bona fide established Ugandan businesses that want to travel to South Africa. This shows the willingness of government to assist Ugandan businesses and to enhance trade between the two countries,” added Ambassador Mollo.
The Head of Policy, Research and Advocacy at the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ezra Rubanda, assured delegates that trade and investment issues between South Africa and Uganda have been prioritised by both countries.
Rubanda said patriotism in business among African countries was what will build and industrialise the continent in order to grow the economy and encourage entrepreneurship.
The seminar, which was held on Tuesday and attended by more than 150 businesspeople, focused on how trade and investment opportunities that exist in both countries could be explored by businesspeople from South Africa and Uganda. – SAnews.gov.za
