The recently appointed UK trade envoy to Uganda, Mr Lord Dolar Popat, has called on Ugandan businesses to partner with UK firms based in Uganda to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the British Business Group Trade Forum at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Thursday, Lord Popat, said their recent appointment by the British prime minister shows the substantial commercial and investment opportunities between UK and Africa and the key to its success is having stable and secure markets.
“My appointment reflects the growing importance of the Ugandan market and I will aim to strengthen the bilateral trade relationship,” he said.

He added that with the expanded range of products aimed at ensuring that UK companies remain competitive, countries such as Uganda stand to benefit from addressing their infrastructure needs from the UK export credit agency. This is because increase in Chinese investments in Africa, is a clear opportunity for UK businesses which are long time partners in the development of major infrastructure projects given their engineering and consultancy expertise.
He said UK firms are at the forefront of vital sectors in Uganda.

Government’s take
Mr Sam Batala, the assistant commissioner external trade at the Ministry of Trade advised Ugandan businesses to partner with UK businesses in Uganda and work together to facilitate transfer of knowledge and skills to produce high quality goods that can enter the UK market.
“Uganda is an agricultural country and we have competitive advantage because of fertile soil, good climate and improved agricultural practices to exploit the UK and EU market,” he said.

Source: Daily Monitor