Uganda officially opened its “Pearl of Africa” Business Forum and Trade Expo in Kuala Lumpur, with the ambitious goal of attracting up to USD 5 billion in trade and investment over the next five years.
The high-level Ugandan delegation, led by Finance Minister Hon. Matia Kasaija, includes top officials such as Energy Minister Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Agriculture (Animal Husbandry) Hon. Bright Rwamirama, and Uganda’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ambassador Betty Bigombe.
Themed “Unlocking Uganda’s Business Potential”, the Expo spotlights five strategic sectors central to Uganda’s national development agenda: agro-industrialisation, tourism, oil and gas, science and technology, and mineral development.
In his keynote speech, Minister Kasaija highlighted Uganda’s robust investment climate, backed by a sound legal framework and government support. “Uganda offers the essentials that investors need to thrive,” he said.
Energy Minister Nankabirwa emphasized the country’s policy to discourage raw material exports in favor of value addition, particularly in the mineral and energy sectors. “Uganda has some of the best iron ore in the world, alongside copper, oil, and gold — all ready for responsible investment,” she noted.
Ambassador Bigombe lauded Uganda’s strategic role in the regional market, describing the event as “a bridge between nations, opportunity and ambition, and vision and action.” She also underscored the benefits of investing in Uganda, including access to the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), collectively reaching over 300 million consumers.
She spotlighted investment-ready opportunities such as eco-tourism infrastructure, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), and Uganda’s growing ICT sector. The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is also playing a key role, providing a one-stop center to assist foreign investors with licensing, tax support, and land access.
Uganda’s liberal investment regime allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors and offers tax holidays and customs exemptions to facilitate growth.
The two-day expo has attracted numerous private investors from both Uganda and Malaysia, signaling strong bilateral interest in deepening economic ties.
