The European Union (EU) and Uganda are joining forces to host the third Uganda-EU Business Forum (UEUBF), a high-level summit facilitating structured collaboration between European and Ugandan private sector and public actors.
The Forum, which opens March 5 and will run until March 7, 2024, at the Speke Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo in Uganda’s capital Kampala, is the largest and most influential joint Uganda-EU event on doing business and investing in Uganda.
The theme of this year’s Forum is “Boosting Trade and Investments”, and the sub-theme is “What can Uganda gain from Global Gateway?”
Now in its third edition, the Forum presents a hybrid event of exclusive business meetings in Uganda designed to mobilise investments into the country and strengthen Ugandan exports, contributing to the partnership between Uganda and the EU, said European Union Ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek.
“There is a lot that Uganda can gain from the Global Gateway, which is the EU’s investment strategy aimed at leveraging investments for large-scale initiatives in sectors that are key for sustainable and inclusive growth in partner countries,” said Ambassador Sadek. “Through the Global Gateway, the EU can pool resources from our Member States and European financial institutions to narrow investment gaps while promoting competitiveness and security of supply chains.”
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is confirmed as the Chief Guest at the Forum and will be joined by the EU Deputy Director General for International Partnerships Ms Myriam Ferran.
The Uganda-EU Business Forum is organised by the EU Delegation to Uganda together with its Member States, in partnership with the Government of Uganda, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), under the Sustainable Business for Uganda (SB4U) Team Europe Initiative.
State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization, Hon. Evelyn Anite is urging investors to take advantage of business opportunities that will be created by the 3rd edition of the Forum.
“Government of Uganda fully supports the 3rd Uganda-EU Business Forum and we thank the EU for choosing Uganda as a preferred investment destination. This is an excellent opportunity for Ugandans to seize,” Hon. Anite says.
The Forum is placing special attention to key economic sectors that offer significant opportunities for European investors to develop partnerships with entrepreneurs in Uganda including in Agribusiness, Sustainable Mining, Enabling Infrastructure and Sustainable Tourism.
The EU is one of the leading development partners for Uganda, not only contributing to Uganda’s development objectives through official development assistance but also private sector investments and trade. It is anticipated that the Forum will attract the participation of over 1500 individuals, both in-person and virtually. Representatives from various European nations, including France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, the Czech Republic, and others, are expected to join.
“The EU market offers great opportunities for Ugandan entrepreneurs. Uganda has lots of trade advantages with Europe and we need to build and capitalise, focusing on value addition and standards for quality exports. The Ugandan private sector is keen on doing business with our European counterparts and this Forum presents a priceless opportunity for us to expand our markets, promote Ugandan services and products and attract investment in the country,” says PSFU Chair Mr Humphrey Nzeyi.
“The Uganda Investment Authority will showcase bankable projects at the 3rd Uganda-European Union Business Forum. We will continue to illuminate investment opportunities that we can present to EU investors. We see lucrative investment opportunities in pharmaceuticals, edible oils, electronics and agro-equipment. We strongly believe that the Forum will pave the way for a more remarkable coalition among Ugandan public and private sector trade and investment support institutions to work together in making investments happen in Uganda,” says UIA Chair Mr Morrison Rwakakamba.
About the Uganda-EU Business Forum
The first Uganda-EU Business Forum took place on 9th and 10th March 2020 in Kampala with a specific focus on promoting a favourable investment climate in Uganda to spur rapid economic development while conserving the environment, creating sustainable jobs, and reducing poverty among the population. The Second Uganda-EU Business Forum took place on 26th and 27th October 2022 with a specific objective to enhance Uganda’s visibility as an investment and export destination of choice.
Both events marked important milestones in the roadmap towards promoting EU–Uganda investment and trade opportunities with both resounding successes boasting over 2,800 combined physical and virtual participants.
Participants include policymakers, public sector agencies, private sector trade support institutions, EU and Uganda captains of industry, delegates from EU Member States Institutions, development partners and donor agencies.
Past forums have borne tangible fruits, including the profiling of 100 businesses seeking equity investments, loans, or partnership opportunities, as well as the pitching of 40 businesses to potential investors.
At the last Forum, a key highlight was the signing of two crucial Memoranda of Understanding between PSFU and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, and between the Uganda Investment Authority and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture Belgium-Luxembourg-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific.
The main activities to look out for at the 3rd edition include:
The Forum which will comprise public and private sector-led presentations and panel discussions;
An exhibition which will be a dedicated pavilion to allow Ugandan and European companies, as well as partners, to showcase their products and services;
Deals room which will be a dedicated space to allow enterprises to pitch their bankable projects to a curated list of potential investors; and
B2B and B2G Matchmaking⏤ a structured Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government meetings between European investors and local entrepreneurs, and between potential investors and relevant public agencies.
Now in its 3rd year, the Uganda-EU Business Forum (UEUBF), a high-level summit facilitating structured collaboration between European and Ugandan private sector and public actors will be held between March 5 – 7, 2024 at the Speke Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo under the theme: “Boosting Trade and Investments”.
It will feature a major forum, an exhibition, a deals room and a series of B2B and B2G matchmaking engagements.
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