Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Sam Kutesa has said that the private sector is the key driver for sustained economic growth which Uganda continues to promote in both domestic and foreign direct investment for increased productivity, job creation and improvement of livelihoods of the people.
Kutesa made these remarks during the Uganda-Iran Economic forum which took place at the Katonga Hall, Conference Centre in Kampala Wednesday morning.
The economic forum comprises of Business Delegations from both Government and the Private Sector of Uganda and Iran.
The Ugandan Delegation is led by Hon. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda and the Iranian Delegation is led by Hon Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran.
He welcomed Iran’s enhanced private sector investments.
“Iranian companies and individuals should take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in Uganda, especially in agriculture and agro-processing, oil and gas, minerals, ICT, human resource development, energy, Tourism, and infrastructure development”, said Kutesa.
He hailed the Economic Forum as a strong first step that he hoped would yield tangible benefits and help attain the objectives set out in the MoUs signed under the Uganda-Iran Cooperation framework over the years.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Iran, Dr Zarif said “Iran means business”.
He introduced his delegation as including representatives of every sector of business in Iran at their highest level. He said that his delegation included several investment companies in the areas of high-tech agricultural production including nano-fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, bio-tech and manufacturing has accompanied him to Uganda. He was pleased that both Chambers of Commerce had made every effort to bring their members to the forum.
Dr. Zarif accompanied by 7 of Iran’s top businessmen are scheduled to meet president Yoweri Museveni on the afternoon of October 25th2017 and the two will president over the opening of phase one of the Iran-Uganda Clinic in Naguru.