BUSINESS
Uganda has taken a bold step to deepen its economic footprint in Asia with the launch of the first-ever Uganda–Qingdao Agricultural Trade and Investment Conference, held in Qingdao City, Shandong Province. The landmark event, hosted by the Embassy of Uganda in Beijing in collaboration with Qingdao’s municipal authorities, marks a new chapter in agricultural and industrial cooperation between Uganda and China.
Led by Uganda’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Oliver Wonekha, the high-level Ugandan delegation included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), and private-sector representatives. The delegation presented Uganda’s stable investment climate, competitive incentives, and youthful workforce as key advantages for investors seeking entry into the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In her keynote address, Ambassador Wonekha emphasized Uganda’s readiness for transformative partnerships.
“Uganda is prepared for industrialization, technology transfer, investment financing, and trade facilitation,” she said, highlighting the country’s political stability, expanding manufacturing sector, and vast agricultural potential. She underscored Uganda’s long-term opportunities in agricultural production, value addition, and manufacturing for regional and continental markets.
Qingdao, renowned for its expertise in modern agriculture, agritech, aquaculture, and agro-processing, was presented as a natural partner for Uganda’s development priorities.
Mr. Cui Zuo, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Qingdao Municipal Committee and President of the Qingdao General Chamber of Commerce, noted the strong complementarity between the two sides:
“Qingdao has advanced capabilities in modern agriculture and agri-technology. We see Uganda as a natural partner for building mutually beneficial industrial value chains.”
Mr. Fred Kakooza, Deputy Director General at the Uganda Investment Authority, encouraged Chinese investors to take advantage of Uganda’s generous tax incentives and strong protections for foreign investors. He invited partners to establish manufacturing and processing hubs in Uganda to serve regional export markets.
The conference set out clear objectives: which include; Promoting bilateral trade and economic cooperation Attracting Chinese investment into Uganda’s agriculture and agro-processing sectors, facilitate technology transfer and capacity building,establish long-term agricultural value-chain partnerships among other things.
The inaugural Uganda–Qingdao Agricultural Trade and Investment Conference signals Uganda’s growing ambition to position itself as a gateway to Africa’s emerging markets, while offering Chinese investors a stable and promising destination for agricultural and industrial ventures.
