{UAH} Fw: UNAALIST UNAA Conducted Serious Business in Boston

Fyi!

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From: Timothy Gaburungyi <unaa@memberclicks-mail.net> Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2016 09:01 To: musanap@yahoo.com Reply To: unaalist@unaa.memberclicks.net Subject: UNAALIST UNAA Conducted Serious Business in Boston

When Massachusetts Governor, Charlie Baker, learned that the 28th Annual UNAA Convention would be held in his state, he sent in Mr. Nam, the Assistant Secretary of Business Development for the State of Massachusetts to deliver his welcome message to UNAA's delegates. Mr Nam was accompanied by Ms. Helena Fruscio the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Mr Mark Sullivan, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office for international Trade and Investment (MOITI) and from the US Federal Government, Dr. Lawrence Spinelli - the Director of Outreach and Public Affairs at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). From the US Department of Commerce UNAA received Mr. James Paul and representing Finland was the Consul General, Mr Leonard Kopelman. Not to be left out, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sent in Dr. Robert Stoner, MITEI's Deputy Director for Science and Technology while Massachusetts Clean Energy Center sent in CEO, Mr Stephen Pike.

With that line up, the State of Massachusetts meant serious business and by organizing the 8th Annual Trade and investment forum, UNAA rose to the challenge by delivering the stage which brought these officials and the opportunities they represent into direct contact with Ugandans in the Diaspora led by UNAA President Monday Atigo, a 13-member delegation of law makers from Uganda's Parliament led by the Rt. Hon. Speaker Rebecca Kadega, the Uganda Government led by Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa and a strong and diverse representation from private sector investors in Boston. The Business sector from Uganda included PostBank Uganda's CEO Mr. Stephen Mukweli, Equity Banks Executive Director, Mr Anthony Kituuka, UTB CEO Mr. Stephen Asiimwe and Centenary Bank's Percy Lubega. UNAA's ability to inform the world about Uganda and attract strong support for its programs was not lost on the Mr. Charlie Kennedy, Accounting Firm GT & Reilly's Tax director. He wrote "Going in I did not know much about Uganda but have gained quite a bit of useful knowledge. I am quite impressed by the show of support from the Ugandan Parliament". Mr. Kennedy is now actively advising on the outsourcing models which will help realize an opportunity which would employ accountants in Uganda to backfill a shortage in the United Sates.

And that Friday September 2nd 2016, got only better. Delegates were brought up to speed on the availability of $1 million to $250 Million low interest loans available from OPIC to support Ugandan Americans who want to start a developmental enterprise in Uganda. Inventor Marvin Opira then took the floor to show case his brilliant and eco-friendly Hydrogen generator which will convert any vehicle into a Hybrid and therefore reduce fuel consumption by 15% to 40%. He seeks business partners in East Africa for distribution opportunities. MIT and MOITI presented several other opportunities available to Ugandans in the Diaspora and the desire to setup a reverse study mission for Ugandan Technocrats to come and learn from Massachusetts. Ms. Anna Kirah, Managing Director with Design Without Borders announced the existence of a digital ideas exchange portal which was available to be transferred to the Uganda Government – Speaker Kadaga is pursuing. Professor Alexander Asea presented an effort which seeks to establish a pharmaceutical drugs factory in Uganda. Such a plant would start by manufacturing generic drugs and in a few years' progress into a research and development institute with the ability to exploit the curative properties locked away in Uganda's plants. Legislators promised to grant him any and all support possible including access to supporting resources and infrastructure and preferential tax treatment.

When the topic migrated to Economic Justice, Uganda's Bankers from PostBank Uganda, Equity Bank, Housing Finance and Centenary bank excited participants with the range of services from fixed deposit accounts, online banking and the short term loans available to Ugandans in the Diaspora. In response the number of new bank accounts opened increased compared to previous years. But no discussion on Uganda is complete without a presentation of our impressive tourism and organic agriculture sectors. The Uganda Tourism Board made a strong case and invited the delegates to invest in opportunities to increase Uganda's market share in this sector. Other panelists grappled with the fact that attracting visitors to Uganda remained an uphill task because Uganda, her rich produce and natural blessings remains largely unknown – certainly to the huge American Market.

These were only a few examples of the many opportunities which UNAA continues to make available to its constituents, Ugandans in North America. And the benefit base is so much wider. These opportunities will grow trade between Uganda and the United States, encourage the exchange of skills and technology and create good paying jobs for our growing work force in Uganda. And to ignite this economic activity, delegates committed themselves to initiate the effort to bring these ideas to life. Where enabling legislation will be required legislators took note and committed to act within the next 12 months on all proposals. Uganda's Embassy took on the responsibility of looking into the strong recommendation from the State of Massachusetts to setup a Permanent Trade Office in Boston, MA. The idea is to strategically and continuously brand and promote Uganda's image abroad. UNAA's Trade and Investment Forum Moderator, Mr Ben Kazora committed UNAA to exploit its broad reach and platform to make all presentations and proposals available on its website (www.unaa.org) within the next 30 days. UNAA also agreed that the agenda for the 9th Annual Trade and Investment Forum to be held in Miami, Florida on September 1st 2017, will kick off with full accountability - with progress reports on these initiatives from all parties.

But in the end, we the Ugandan Americans and our compatriots in Uganda own the critical responsibility to initiate and drive much of what was presented to realization. Government, both Uganda's and the State of Massachusetts and even foreign investors and institutions can only provide the enabling environment. After 9 and a half hours of serious business – developmental UNAA business – this is a call to action. UNAA has done its part and surfaced the opportunities. Let us make the happen for ourselves, those we love and for God and Country

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