By George Bukenya
Although there has been a significant stride in the volume of exports to United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Uganda after cooperation ties between the two countries, the volume of trade is still low due to lack of consistence in terms of quality and quantity of goods Uganda exports to UAE.
Uganda’s Ambassador to UAE HE. Zaake Kibedi Wanume expressed a huge concern saying that this challenge if not tackled will jeopardize the volume of trade between the two nations.
While addressing reporters on the forthcoming Uganda- UAE Business Forum, Kibedi urged the business people and farms to increase on the quality and quantity in their production to reap big in the UAE market.
“ We have a huge market potential in UAE especially for our fresh agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, both Irish and sweet potatoes as well as matooke and the agricultural products contribute 50% of exports to this country,’’ Kibedi revealed.
“ The challenge we face is inconsistence in the supply chain in terms of quality and quantity hindering satisfying of the market.’’ He said.
He gave hope that the coming business forum that will be hosted at Munyonyo Resort Hotel between the two states will come up with solution to the challenges affecting business and trade partnership between the two countries.
“ The fourth edition of our cooperation is geared towards promoting business and trade among the us and in this three-day meeting, the emphasis we be put on strengthening bilateral partnership for investment, networking among business leaders, discussing opportunities and challenges of doing business between the two nations.
According to Ambassador Kibedi, during Day1 the visitors will pay a visit to their compatriots who are doing business here, the forum will them be opened officially on Day2 and discussion will be business tom business and government to government and government to business and will close at Day3 with a panel discussion of all concerned people.
Commercialized agriculture, agro-industry, energy and mineral development, value addition and tourism and infrastructural development will also be among key issues on the agenda to be in the discussion.
Despite the challenges, Uganda’s export index to UAE is the best as the volume according to Ministry of Trade stands at US $ 2.85 billion. Labour externalization to UAE has increased from 40,000 labour forces in 2018 to 160,000 in 2024. While Foreign Direct Investment have grown from US $ 300m in 2018 to US $ 3.5billion in 2024.
This increase in labor export also enhanced Uganda’s earnings from the sector from US $ 58m to US$ 350M as remittance by the nations working in UAE.