In a historic move to strengthen economic and agricultural ties, Uganda and Qingdao launched their first Agricultural Trade and Investment Conference in Qingdao City, Shandong Province.
Hosted jointly by the Embassy of Uganda in Beijing and Qingdao’s municipal authorities, the event marked a significant step in fostering strategic partnerships between East Africa and China.
The conference was led by the Ugandan Ambassador to China, Oliver Wonekha and featured a high-level Ugandan delegation, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Uganda Investment Authority, and key private-sector stakeholders.
The delegation highlighted Uganda’s political stability, competitive investment incentives, and dynamic, youthful workforce, positioning the country as a gateway to both the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area markets.
In her keynote address, Ambassador Wonekha emphasized Uganda’s readiness for transformative partnerships in industrialization, technology transfer, investment financing, and trade facilitation. She underscored the country’s vast agricultural potential, expanding manufacturing base, and strategic geographic position as compelling advantages for long-term investors.
“Uganda presents exceptional opportunities in agricultural production, value addition, and manufacturing for both regional and continental markets,” she said, inviting partners to engage in sustainable and mutually beneficial collaborations.
Qingdao, recognized for its expertise in modern agriculture, agritech, aquaculture, and agro-processing, was hailed as a natural collaborator.
Cui Zuo, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Qingdao Municipal Committee and President of the Qingdao General Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the complementarity between Qingdao’s technological capabilities and Uganda’s agricultural potential, noting that both sides are well-positioned to develop robust industrial value chains.
Uganda Investment Authority Deputy Director General Fred Kakooza reinforced the country’s investment-friendly environment, urging Chinese businesses to explore large-scale agricultural and manufacturing projects.
He cited generous tax incentives, investor protections, and opportunities in agro-processing as key drivers for establishing manufacturing and export hubs in Uganda.
The conference sets the stage for deeper bilateral trade and investment cooperation, aiming to facilitate technology transfer, capacity building, and long-term value-chain partnerships.
By positioning Uganda as a hub for manufacturing and agricultural exports, the event underscores a shared vision of sustainable growth and regional economic integration.
