Abu Dhabi-Mubasher: The UAE is keen on boosting the trade and investment relations with African countries, said Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Assistant Under-Secretary for Foreign Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Economy.
On the sidelines of the UAE-Uganda Business Forum, he added that Uganda is one of the key strategic partners for UAE, with a non-oil trade exchange valued at $190 million in 2014.
Discussions during the forum were focused on the possible means to boost the role of private sector and business community to open new markets for economic cooperation and trade exchange, as well as providing various opportunities in the fields of trade, investments and joint ventures.
The country established itself as a regional and international hub for commerce as it ranks the 16th position worldwide with exports estimated at more than AED 1.32 trillion ($359 billion) last year, accounting for 28% and 33% of the total exports and imports respectively in the Middle East.
Uganda has natural resources especially in terms of agriculture and food industries, thus offering various opportunities for the UAE to pump investments that would serve its food security objectives.
