Drew Ddembe tagged you and 74 others in a post . Drew wrote: "Read and weep for Uganda! ***** Well today I went to an event hosted by the Canada EA chamber of Commerce to listen to the East African High Commissioners to Canada speak - and would like to share their insights: 1. Kenya High Commissioner (Hon Lunyasunya): He gave statistics on the Kenyan economy highlighting growth rates, economy size and sector contribution to GDP. He spoke about government efforts in promoting trade and investment including negotiation the Foreign Investment Protection Act with Canada, simplifying bureaucracy (eg through a one-stop-shop e-licencing). He highlighted sectors ripe for investment - Infrastructure, Tourism, Oil, Services, ICT etc. He spoke about Kenya's investment strengths - an abundant and educated workforce, ports providing access, Nairobi as a travel hub, service provision to neighbouring countries and many more He spoke about the gov't only ask of investors i) to create employment ii) to transfer technology and entrepreneurial ideas & iii) reinvestment in the economy... He finalised by highlighting the 2 big conferences happening in Kenya this year - one on trade and investment and another for WTO ministers. Due to time constraints he was unable to cover Incentives for Investors but made available his speech. Next up was 2. Tanzania High Commissioner (Hon Mugendi Zoka) He spoke about the challenges in Tanzania - vis poverty, poor healthcare as well as a poorly educated populace - highlighting that these are government priority areas if Tanzania is to achieve its goal of becoming a middle income nation by 2025. He spoke the strengths of Tanzania as an investment destination - ie political stability, 3 deep sea ports (and another being constructed), location at the sea and serving Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Congo, Investment incentives, a signed bilateral Foreign Investment Protection Act with Canada. He finalised by highlighted investment areas/opportunities in Tourism (with established attractions like Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro crater, the Serengeti, Zanzibar etc), Mineral exploration and mining (vast opportunities for Canada), Infrastructure, dire need for energy Next up was...ummm 3. Uganda High Commissioner (Hon Alintuma Nsambu). Now I have to warn you that this was, for lack of a better word, extremely embarrassing but I will give it to you verbatim (or what i recall) - and if in doubt, please confirm with the Canada East Africa Chamber of Commerce to refute or confirm. He started by saying "Save for Rwanda - Uganda is the only country in the region with gorillas. Yes, we have gorillas and are the only country except for Rwanda". Next was a call to invest in Canada real estate so the mission staff can have accommodation - "Do not donate to anonymous people...come talk to us and tell us you have a house and we will rent it from you without donating to unknown people" The third point was a little colourful..."when you go to visit, you quietly ask the host where to toilets or latrines are so that he can prepare and bring the toilet paper etc..so that you find the place 'good' (sic). So likewise if you want to invest in Uganda, come and talk to us. We know where the toilet is and can help you navigate." He added that we complain about bureaucracy and the Chinese "taking away the markets" but added that "Bureaucracy is actually good. When you have navigated it, you know it will be very difficult for another person to come in - so you can enjoy your investment for a while" Finally he spoke about Uganda growing loads of bananas and that if you had a shop selling bananas say in Canada, they all will be bought - "so the government is working with the governments of the Bahamas (sic) to have Ugandans grow bananas "there" so that we can "sell" to North America. He completed with two questions: a) "how much time do I have left" and b) "ask me any questions you have before I leave the podium". this summarises the Investment opportunities in East Africa. The author is a Ugandan living in Canada. https://www.facebook.com/ian.../posts/10155607921845525" Learn more about tagging on Facebook . |
| | Drew wrote: "Read and weep for Uganda! ***** Well today I went to an event hosted by the Canada EA chamber of Commerce to listen to the East African High Commissioners to Canada speak - and would like to share their insights: 1. Kenya High Commissioner (Hon Lunyasunya): He gave statistics on the Kenyan economy highlighting growth rates, economy size and sector contribution to GDP. He spoke about government efforts in promoting trade and investment including negotiation the Foreign Investment Protection Act with Canada, simplifying bureaucracy (eg through a one-stop-shop e-licencing). He highlighted sectors ripe for investment - Infrastructure, Tourism, Oil, Services, ICT etc. He spoke about Kenya's investment strengths - an abundant and educated workforce, ports providing access, Nairobi as a travel hub, service provision to neighbouring countries and many more He spoke about the gov't only ask of investors i) to create employment ii) to transfer technology and entrepreneurial ideas & iii) reinvestment in the economy... He finalised by highlighting the 2 big conferences happening in Kenya this year - one on trade and investment and another for WTO ministers. Due to time constraints he was unable to cover Incentives for Investors but made available his speech. Next up was 2. Tanzania High Commissioner (Hon Mugendi Zoka) He spoke about the challenges in Tanzania - vis poverty, poor healthcare as well as a poorly educated populace - highlighting that these are government priority areas if Tanzania is to achieve its goal of becoming a middle income nation by 2025. He spoke the strengths of Tanzania as an investment destination - ie political stability, 3 deep sea ports (and another being constructed), location at the sea and serving Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Congo, Investment incentives, a signed bilateral Foreign Investment Protection Act with Canada. He finalised by highlighted investment areas/opportunities in Tourism (with established attractions like Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro crater, the Serengeti, Zanzibar etc), Mineral exploration and mining (vast opportunities for Canada), Infrastructure, dire need for energy Next up was...ummm 3. Uganda High Commissioner (Hon Alintuma Nsambu). Now I have to warn you that this was, for lack of a better word, extremely embarrassing but I will give it to you verbatim (or what i recall) - and if in doubt, please confirm with the Canada East Africa Chamber of Commerce to refute or confirm. He started by saying "Save for Rwanda - Uganda is the only country in the region with gorillas. Yes, we have gorillas and are the only country except for Rwanda". Next was a call to invest in Canada real estate so the mission staff can have accommodation - "Do not donate to anonymous people...come talk to us and tell us you have a house and we will rent it from you without donating to unknown people" The third point was a little colourful..."when you go to visit, you quietly ask the host where to toilets or latrines are so that he can prepare and bring the toilet paper etc..so that you find the place 'good' (sic). So likewise if you want to invest in Uganda, come and talk to us. We know where the toilet is and can help you navigate." He added that we complain about bureaucracy and the Chinese "taking away the markets" but added that "Bureaucracy is actually good. When you have navigated it, you know it will be very difficult for another person to come in - so you can enjoy your investment for a while" Finally he spoke about Uganda growing loads of bananas and that if you had a shop selling bananas say in Canada, they all will be bought - "so the government is working with the governments of the Bahamas (sic) to have Ugandans grow bananas "there" so that we can "sell" to North America. He completed with two questions: a) "how much time do I have left" and b) "ask me any questions you have before I leave the podium". this summarises the Investment opportunities in East Africa. The author is a Ugandan living in Canada. https://www.facebook.com/ian.../posts/10155607921845525" |
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