MOMBASA – The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Patrick Mugoya, has emphasized the need to improve the strategic trade alliance between Uganda and Kenya to boost the trade volume between the two countries which currently stands at about $1.2 billion.
Speaking at the ongoing 3rd Trade and Business Facilitation Symposium (TBFS) 2019 in Mombasa, Kenya, on Tuesday, Ambassador Mugoya emphasised the duty of government officials in addressing all non-trade barriers/non-tariff measures and implementing decisions that have already been agreed to in a timely manner.
He reiterated the importance of the symposium as a means of getting the private sector to share experiences, identify opportunities and challenges and agree on appropriate measures to promote trade and investment.
The symposium aims to strengthen cooperation and enhance coordination and partnerships among stakeholders in the trade value chain in addressing common challenges and support the business community in making use of the Electronic Single Window for customs clearance of goods. It also seeks to provide increased understanding on key trends and issues in regard to combating counterfeit products; enlighten participants on key issues of tax policy, administration and the rationale to pay taxes; provide an opportunity for participants to appreciate the Kenya import market. Others are establishing a vibrant permanent platform for information sharing and amongst partners and stakeholders; changing mindsets and increasing production for export.
In attendance is the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ms Amelia Anne Kyambadde, Uganda’s Consul General to Mombasa, Amb. Tayebwa Katureebe, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania Amb. Richard Kabonero, Uganda’s Ambassador to UAE Amb. Zaake Kibedi, Uganda’s Consul General to Guangzhou Amb. Solomon Rutega, Uganda’s Charge D’Affaires to Qatar Amb. Simon Ajiku, Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Government of Uganda and Officials from the Republic of Kenya.
