Dubai Chambers and Uganda Chamber of Commerce Ink MoU to Boost Business Ties

Dubai Chambers has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uganda Chamber of Commerce and Industry to enhance cooperation between the business communities in Uganda and Dubai. The agreement was formalized during a bilateral business forum held in Kampala, organized by Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers.

Under the terms of the MoU, both parties will collaborate to strengthen ties between Dubai and Ugandan companies. This includes organizing trade missions, conferences, and business events and sharing knowledge and expertise to unlock mutual benefits. The MoU also focuses on consulting on business policies and exploring bilateral investment opportunities.

The ‘Doing Business with Uganda’ forum was part of the chamber’s trade mission to Uganda and Tanzania. The event was supported by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Kampala, the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in the UAE, the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Uganda Investment Authority, and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.

According to Dubai Customs data, non-oil trade between Uganda and Dubai reached a value of $1.2 billion in 2023. Additionally, as of the end of September 2024, 148 Ugandan businesses were registered as active members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, with 60 of them joining in the first nine months of the year.

At the forum, Dubai Chambers presented an overview of Dubai’s economic landscape, showcasing the emirate’s competitive advantages and the opportunities available for Ugandan businesses and investors.

Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, expressed her appreciation for the strong partnership between the two countries. She highlighted the government’s commitment to attracting investors through initiatives like this.

“The agreement signed between Dubai Chambers and the Uganda Chamber of Commerce and Industry aims to promote and protect investments. I believe this forum will effectively achieve its primary objective of facilitating dialogue between the Ugandan and UAE governments, as well as the business community while creating opportunities to foster new investments and business partnerships for the mutual benefit of both sister countries,” she stated.

The Dubai delegation included representatives from diverse sectors such as construction and building materials, engineering, food and beverages, storage and retail, oil and gas, electrical appliances, healthcare, energy, the automotive sector, agrotech, and information technology.

This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening economic ties and unlocking new avenues for trade and investment between Uganda and Dubai.