Uganda and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment as the 3rd Session of the Uganda-India Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting commenced today at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Vanijya Bhawan, in New Delhi.
The high-level meeting was inaugurated by Shri Jay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary at India’s Ministry of Commerce. Distinguished attendees included India’s High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Upender Singh Rawat, and Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, H.E. Amb. Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda.
Uganda’s delegation comprises officials from various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Works and Transport; Ministry of ICT and National Guidance; Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Civil Aviation Authority; Uganda National Bureau of Standards; and Uganda Airlines.
The JTC meeting is being co-chaired by Ms. Priya Nair, Economic Advisor at India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and Amb. Elly Kamahungye Kafeero from Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Key agenda items for discussion include bilateral trade and investment relations, the status of the Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme, and lines of credit.
The meeting will also explore cooperation in strategic sectors such as mining, finance (including the Unified Payments Interface – UPI), agriculture, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), standards, and healthcare.
One of the primary objectives of the discussions is to address trade bottlenecks, including non-tariff barriers and regulatory standards.
The committee aims to identify mechanisms to enhance Uganda’s export potential by leveraging opportunities under India’s DFTP scheme. Expanding cooperation across key sectors is also expected to bolster economic relations between the two nations.
The Uganda-India Joint Trade Committee serves as a crucial platform for fostering economic collaboration and addressing trade challenges.
As both countries seek to enhance their economic engagement, this meeting is expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation and mutually beneficial trade agreements.
The session will continue on March 26, 2025, with further deliberations and strategic discussions aimed at solidifying trade ties between Uganda and India.
