A Business Development & Investor Support Officer at the UFZA Stall during the UgandaEurope Business Forum at Speke Resort Munyonyo in October 2022.
Uganda Free Zones Authority participated in the 2nd Uganda – Europe Business Forum on 26th – 27th October 2022 under the theme ‘‘Mobilizing quality investments & enhancing trade between Uganda and the European Union’’. The Forum which was held at Speke Resort Munyonyo was graced by The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as the Chief Guest and The Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Jan Sadek as the main host.
The two-day High-Level Business Forum brought together Ugandan and European policymakers, public sector agencies, EU Member States Embassies and Consulates, private sector trade support institutions, business associations and Chambers of Commerce, captains of industries, financial and non-financial intermediaries, investors, development partners and donor agencies, academia and the civil society, among others to network, exchange experiences and explore investment and trade
opportunities.
The Ambassador of the European Union to Uganda said “700,000 individuals reach working age every year and the job creation opportunities in Uganda are not adequate to meet this demand”. He called upon government to provide an enabling environment for business to thrive and have spin off effects. One of such initiatives by government is the Free Zones scheme which was established for the purpose of attracting exportoriented investment and creating jobs.
While speaking at the event, Mr. Habiyaremye Cyril, the Finance Manager at Jambo Roses, one of the licensed Free Zones in Uganda, credited UFZA for facilitating them to create employment for over 600 staff, 420 of whom are women. Jambo Roses is one of the 33 licensed Free Zones in Uganda.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ms. Geraldine Ssali commended the Free Zones scheme for offering attractive packages including tax and non-tax incentives to attract export-oriented investment in Uganda.