KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The Pearl of Africa Business Forum and Expo 2025 has projected a potential trade and investment of US$5 billion (US$1=RM4.425), including oil and gas exploration.
High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia Dr Betty Oyella Bigombe said the business forum and expo will be held for the first time here from April 23-24, 2025.
She emphasised that the event is aimed at increasing bilateral trade between Uganda and Malaysia, with expected exponential growth over the next five years.
Bigombe said Uganda is looking at Malaysia as a key trading partner in various sectors, mainly agriculture, tourism, minerals and oil and gas.
“Uganda has a wealth of natural resources, a vibrant labour force, and a strategic geographical location within East Africa, making it an ideal destination for investment.
“We have a lot to learn from Malaysia. We look at Malaysia as a key partner in this nation, and our objective in organising the expo is to promote Uganda as a new investment destination in Africa,” she said in a press conference here today.
The Pearl of Africa Business Forum and Expo 2025 will be organised by the High Commission of Uganda to Malaysia and the World-One Business Federation.
Bigombe said agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, contributing to 53 per cent of its export earnings and employing over 73 per cent of the population.
“Uganda is globally recognised for its high-quality coffee. We seek investors in value addition, agro-processing and organic fertiliser production to enhance productivity and competitiveness,” she highlighted.
In addition, Bigombe said Uganda is also rich in mineral resources, namely gold, copper, and lithium, and the government is seeking partnerships in mineral exploration, extraction and value addition to drive industrialisation and economic transformation.
“We also have science and technology. Uganda’s information and communications technology sector is rapidly growing with increasing digitalisation and e-business transactions.
“We welcome partnerships in infrastructure development, software and hardware industries,” she said.
Bigombe said Uganda has special economic and investment zones for industrial parks (Namanve, Mbale and Kapeeka industrial arks); free trade zones (Jinja and Entebbe); and an oil and gas hub (development in Albertine Graben for refinery and logistics).
According to the Bank of Uganda, exports to Malaysia in 2024 recorded US$108.29 million, while imports from Malaysia last year stood at US$250.13 million.
-- BERNAMA
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