Uganda Pearl of Africatrade Expo Opens in Malaysia
The Pearl of Africa Business Forum and Expo has opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with Uganda set on securing trade and investment potential of around USD 5 billion over the next five years. A high powered delegation led by the Finance Minister Hon. Matia Kasaija, comprises Energy Minister Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Agriculture Minister in charge of Animal Husbandry, Hon Bright Rwamirama, Uganda's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Amb Betty O. Bigombe, Chamber of Commerce- President Olive Kigongo, Senior Presidential Adviser on Exports-Mrs. Susan Muhwezi and Chief of Protocol, Amb Charles Ssentongo, The opening ceremony was graced by Hon. Yang Bhg Muhtar Hashim, the Executive Director of the Chemical Industries Council of Malasyia. Muhtar informed the audience of the immense opportunities that Malaysia will tap into the various to drive trade between the two countries.
Speaking at the same Ceremony, Hon. Matia Kasaija said Uganda has a conducive climate investment that supports the most important needs of investors across board, including the legal framework.
Ruth Nankabirwa, the Energy Minister said Uganda continues to attract investment in the oil and gas sector. 'Our policy is not to export any raw materials, so there is plenty of investment opportunities in mineral processing' adding that Uganda has a number of minerals and areas of investment. 'Our iron ore is the best in the world, we have copper, oil, gold, several other minerals and are looking for investors in the sector,' Nankabirwa added. Ambassador Betty Bigombe said the Trade and Investment Forum reflected our mutual commitment to deepening economic, trade, and investment ties between Uganda and Malaysia. 'Today is more than just a business forum; it is a bridge between nations, between opportunity and ambition, and between vision and action.'
Bigombe gave rousing remarks about Uganda, which she said was blessed with vast natural resources, a youthful and energetic population, and a stable and liberalized economy. 'Uganda is strategically positioned as a gateway to the East African Community (EAC), a vibrant market of over 300 million consumers, and to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Investors who choose Uganda will not just invest in one country; rather, they will access an entire regional market full of opportunity and potential.' This Expo is themed 'Unlocking Uganda's Business Potential,' with a focus on five high-impact sectors that are central to our national development strategy: agro-industrialisation, tourism development, oil and gas, science and technology, and mineral development.
In agro-industrialisation, Bigombe said Uganda's fertile land and diverse agricultural outputs provide immense opportunities for value addition, agro-processing, and export-driven agribusiness. In tourism, she invited investment in eco-lodges, hospitality services, and tourism infrastructure to harness the potential of Ugandan national parks, including Kidepo Valley, Queen Elizabeth,
Murchison Falls, and the breath-taking Rwenzori Mountains. In the oil and gas sector, Uganda has made great strides, and several bankable projects are ready for investors. These include the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), the development of an oil refinery in Hoima, and the construction of logistics hubs to support the petroleum value chain.
In science and technology, Uganda is driving digital transformation and innovation through ICT parks, youth innovation hubs, and the local assembly of tech devices. In mineral development, Uganda is richly endowed with gold, cobalt, rare earth elements, and more, and we welcome investors for sustainable and value-added exploitation. Amb. Bigombe highlighted Uganda Investment Authority's role in establishing a one-stop center to facilitate investors with licenses, land, tax advisory, and regulatory support.
Uganda permits 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, guarantees repatriation of profits, and offers tax holidays, customs exemptions, and infrastructure support for priority areas.
Furthermore, the UIA has also profiled over 120 bankable investment projects, spanning road infrastructure, tourism sites, agribusiness parks, and industrial parks across the country. The two-day forum has attracted a number of private investors from Uganda and Malaysia.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
12 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAE approves criteria for Emirati students pursuing higher studies in foreign universities
In line with the UAE's strategic direction to enhance the quality and outcomes of higher education and human development, and to align its outcomes with national development goals and market needs, the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD) has approved a set of criteria for Emirati students who wish to pursue their higher education outside the UAE. The criteria aim to enhance student's competence and readiness to enter the job market, and to regulate international scholarship options in accordance with the UAE's aspirations, national plans, priority sectors, and future developments, thereby supporting the optimal investment in Emirati talents. Through this initiative, the Council aims to empower students to make well-informed decisions based on clear criteria that ensures the quality of selected programs and academic institutions. It also seeks to enhance the value of the qualifications they obtain, supporting their future career opportunities both within the UAE and abroad. These criteria are derived from a clear vision to elevate the higher education experience abroad, by guiding students toward accredited and high-quality academic institutions and specializations. Students wishing to enroll in a higher education institution outside the UAE, whether at their own expense or through a sponsoring entity, are required to study at institutions recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in accordance with the following approved classifications and standards: 1. The institution must be ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide in the intended field of study, regardless of overall ranking or country, according to the Ministry's approved international rankings. 2. If studying in the United States or Australia, the institution must be ranked among the world's top 100 universities in the intended field of study, and among the top 100 universities overall, according to the Ministry's approved international rankings. 3. If studying in any other English-speaking country (excluding the USA and Australia), the institution must be ranked among the world's top 200 universities in the intended field and among the top 200 universities overall, according to the Ministry's approved international rankings 4. If studying in a non-English-speaking country, the institution must be ranked among the world's top 300 universities in the intended field and among the top 300 universities overall, according to the Ministry's approved international rankings. The Council emphasised the importance of adhering to the specified criteria to avoid non-recognition of qualifications obtained abroad. Non-compliance may result in these qualifications not being acknowledged for purposes such as employment, promotion, study leave, exam leave, thesis discussion, or eligibility for qualification-related benefits within the federal government sector in the UAE. To ensure a transparent and a balanced approach, taking into account special cases, Emirati students who are currently pursuing their studies abroad, whether self-funded or sponsored by a scholarship entity, will be granted a one-year grace period from the effective date of this decision to adjust their academic status. A specialised committee, chaired by the General Secretariat of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council has been established to review exemption requests. The committee will assess these requests based on precise criteria that consider the nature of the specialization, the academic institution, and the individual circumstances of each case, to support the students' best interests and enhance their educational and career opportunities. The Council also instructs the students and the relevant parties to communicate directly with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for inquiries related to the approved criteria and the process for submitting exemption requests. This mechanism is part of a broader set of policies and initiatives being developed by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council in coordination with relevant entities. These efforts are designed to enhance the quality of higher education, strengthen accreditation recognition system, and support Emirati students both within and outside the UAE. Such initiatives contribute to empowering Emirati talents, developing human capital, and nurturing generations equipped with the skills, capabilities, and knowledge that align with the UAE's aspirations and reflects its vision for the future. WAM
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
EGP strengthens slightly against USD on Monday
Arab Finance: The exchange rate of the US dollar to Egyptian pound traded at EGP 49.64 for purchasing and EGP 49.74 for selling at Banque Misr on Monday at 1:03 PM. Likewise, the exchange rate registered EGP 49.64 for buying and EGP 49.74 for selling at the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) at 1:09 PM. Also, at the Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB), the US dollar recorded EGP 49.64 for purchasing and EGP 49.74 for selling. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arabian Post
20 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Vietnamese Agri Trade Mission to Iowa
Ministers witnessed MoU signing between Vietnamese and Iowa agribusinesses. IOWA, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2025 – A delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam led by Minister Do Duc Duy began a trade mission to the United States, with the first stop being Iowa. Welcoming and working with the delegation, on the side of the Iowa Department of Agriculture were Secretary Mike Naig and Deputy Secretary Grant Menke. At the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his interests to lead a delegation consisting of Vietnamese government agencies, associations and agribusinesses to visit Iowa state, known as the 'Heart of Agriculture' in the United States. With a long history of farming system, Iowa is the leading corn production in the United States, with total output of 50 million tons of corn per year. Besides, the state is also home to many other agricultural commodities such as soybean, wheat, pork and beef. 'Vietnam has become one of the world's leading agricultural exporters, contributing positively to global food security. We are constantly expanding our processing capacity, improving quality for sustainable agricultural development in Vietnam. Therefore, Vietnam and the United States can completely complement each other, jointly develop bilateral, stable and long-term agricultural supply chains,' Minister Do Duc Duy affirmed. ADVERTISEMENT At the meeting, the two sides jointly recognized and assessed the current status of agricultural trade cooperation between Vietnam and Iowa, and shared information, needs and potentials for business cooperation between the two sides. The discussion opened a substantive direction, promoting the export of high-quality agricultural products from Iowa to the Vietnamese market and vice versa. Notably, the delegation of 50 Vietnamese agribusinesses accompanying Minister Do Duc Duy to the United States this time is expected to sign MoUs to purchase over 2 billion USD of agrifood products from the United States. Particularly for the state of Iowa, businesses and associations of the two sides have signed 5 MOUs with a total value of about 800 million USD over 3 years. Those are significant deals compared to 44 million USD of agricultural exports from Iowa to Vietnam in 2024. Specifically, Vietnam's Khai Anh Binh Thuan Company signed an MoU to import one million tons of soybean meal, valued at approximately $380–390 million, from its partner Ag Processing Inc (AGP). The company also committed to purchasing 900,000 tons of corn and wheat from United Grain, valued at around $250 million. Viet Nhat Nutrition Technology Company signed a contract with POET Group to import 100,000 tons of DDGS and 100,000 tons of soybean meal, with a total value estimated at 60–70 million USD. Public–private partnership between the two countries also expanded through an MoU between the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health (under Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). Under this agreement, both sides committed to strengthening trade ties and promoting collaboration between Vietnamese and Iowa pork industry by organizing technical seminars, market promotion and trade missions. In addition, the meeting provided opportunities for many other Vietnamese and US businesses to connect, opening new avenues to enhance trade relations and strengthen the Vietnam–US agricultural supply chain linkages. These connections are expected to accelerate the transfer of advanced U.S. technologies to Vietnamese agribusinesses, paving the way toward green, smart, and sustainable agricultural development in Vietnam. Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his confidence that today's event marks the beginning of a new phase of deeper and more effective cooperation between the Vietnamese business community and the state of Iowa. He emphasized that the outcome reflects the shared goodwill of both sides to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United #MAE The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
