Chinese offer Ugandans partnership opportunities

Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhao Yali (2nd R) introduces the Secretary General of China - Africa Local Government Cooperation to President Museveni (2nd L) at Munyonyo. Right is
Local Government minister Adolf Mwesige. PPU PHOTO. 

By ISMAIL MUSA LADU

Chinese officials and businessmen have expressed willingness to partner with district leaders and the government of Uganda to turn towns and tourism sites into modern and commercially viable attractions.

This was revealed by a delegation of mayors from Chinese provinces, business representatives and leaders of business associations and state enterprises in Kampala on Thursday.

“We would want to cooperate and partner with you in areas of tourism promotion, agriculture, mining and extraction and turning your towns into modern centres without losing its cultural attraction,” Shandong province Vice Governor Xia Geng said during a dialogue of governors and mayors of China and the East Africa community (EAC).

The dialogue, whose theme was ‘business development and cooperation’, was among others convened to interest local business people into seizing opportunities that the two countries have to offer.

In his presentation, the vice Mayor of City of Benxi, Liaoning Province, Mr Rong Fengcheng, said they are interested in particularly cooperating to promote tourism and culture within EAC cities and towns.

In an interview with the Daily Monitor, Mr Johnson Muyanja, the Mayor of Mukono Municipal Council said the initiative to collaborate with provinces in China is a good move although it will take the good will of the local authorities and the government to work.

Employment opportunities




“I am looking at partnering with the Chinese in areas of agriculture, fishing and industries. I want areas that will quickly result in employment of the many jobless urban youths,” he said.

Apart from him who had the economic and social profile of his area of jurisdiction, no other official seemed to be armed with that kind of information.
 



Businessman Fred Douglas Mwanja said he is interested in securing partnerships with provinces that are involved in agriculture so that he can start trading with them directly in agricultural products.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Local Government, Mr Adolf Kasaija Mwesige said local government leaders should take advantage of the relations to establish business partnerships.

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Zhao Yali told the Daily Monitor that the delegates, who are about 100, are interested in doing business and creating valuable partnerships with Ugandans and the other EAC countries.

“Most of them are here for the first time. And they have liked the country and the potential it has. And importantly most of them are decision makers from the enterprises they are representing,” he said.

The delegates, he said, want information on several economic sectors so that they can quickly make a decision to start partnerships in the respective sector.