The Sharjah Business Delegation formed by Sharjah Exports Development Center, an initiative by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has concluded a successful visit to the Ugandan capital Kampala, the first stop in its Eastern African tour that will lead the delegation to Kenya as well. The delegation was chaired by SCCI board member HE Mohammad Rashid Dimas, and comprised of SCCI board member Nasser Mosbeh Al Tunaiji; Abdulaziz Shattaf Director of SEDC, and a number of officials from both SCCI and the Center. 
    
During the visit, a special Sharjah-Uganda Business forum was held, and attended by a number of businessmen and investors from both sides. The forum was also attended by H.E. Abdullah Mohammed Al Takawi, UAE Ambassador to Uganda; Hon. KasaijaMatia, Ugandan Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Eng. Tobias K.R. Karekaho, President of Uganda Investment Authority; and Mr. Lawrence Byensi, Acting Executive Director of Uganda Investment Authority.

In his opening speech, HE Mohammad Rashid Dimas said: “The Sharjah Business Delegation visit to Uganda and Kenya, which coincides with the UAE national Day, comes in line with our continued efforts and regular visits to these two important countries that we kicked off last year. The goal of these visits is to strengthen business relations and enhance investment opportunities between the two countries, In various domains and aspects”.

“The delegation works on promoting Sharjah as pioneering foreign investment and economic collaboration destination in the UAE, especially that Sharjah is host to around 33% of transformative Industries in the UAE,” Dimasadded.

For his part, Hon. KasaijaMatia, Ugandan Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, welcomed the delegation to Kampala, stressing that the UAE is an important economic partner for Uganda, and that the current visit is an opportunity to explore further collaboration.

The forum included presentations on Uganda’s investment landscape, and major investment opportunities for foreign investors.

In addition to the forum, the delegation organized direct meetings with a group of Ugandan businessmen and investors from various sectors, in the presence of representatives of 15 member companies from SCCI. The meetings discussed various products and services across all sectors.

Taking advantage of the Indian Business Forum in Uganda, simultaneously running in Kampala, the Sharjah Business Delegation met with a group of Indian businessmen to discuss investment ventures in Uganda.

Following this successful visit, Sharjah Business delegation heads to Kenya today, in another business trip that will last until December 3rd, where important meetings with officials and businessmen will take place, focusing on energy, agriculture, animal wealth, real estate, health care, pharmaceuticals, tourism, telecommunications, and transportation sectors.

UAE Ambassador Welcomes the Delegation
Following the conclusion of the business forum, H.E. Abdullah Mohammed Al Takawi, UAE Ambassador to Uganda, welcomed the delegation at the UAE Embassy in Kampala, thanking them for their efforts and unique approach to strengthening business relations between the UAE and Uganda. Delegation members expressed their gratitude for HE the Ambassador for his gesture, and all the efforts extended by the Embassy team to assure the success of this visit.

Non-oil commercial exchange between the UAE and Uganda reached AED 555 million (over $151 million) during 2015, mostly consisting of raw materials and food goods.