After five years of implementing the Free Zones Act 2014, UFZA is making proposals for Policy Reform to make Free Zones more competitive. UFZA is partnering with Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) to review the Free Zones Act with the view of amending specific clauses that are seen as obstacles to attracting export-oriented investment to Free Zones. The proposals made revolve around increasing competitiveness by widening the scope of Free Zones.
The proposed amendments will expand the scope of the law from the current provision for only Export Processing Zones and Free Port Zones to adoption of the wider Special Economic Zones, make provision for acquisition of land by the Authority and provide for clear exclusive incentives to Free Zone licencees within the Free Zones Law, among others.
L –R: Ms Sandra Kirega, Manager Programs TMEA, Ms Clare Kaweesa, Manager Legal & Compliance UFZA, Ms Grace L. Achire, Vice Chairperson, Board of Directors UFZA and Mr. Jean-Paul Gauthier, Consultant with Adam Smith International
The Authority under-scores the fact that there is urgent need for legal reform as the current legal regime is not competitive for attraction of the necessary Foreign and Domestic Direct Investment needed to industrialize and create employment for Ugandans.