The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, yesterday displayed colours of the Ugandan flag to mark the official day for Uganda to open its doors to the world at the Dubai Expo 2021, primed as the world’s greatest show.
The Dubai Expo is a globally recognised trade event and is this year expected to attract more than 190 countries, 12 months after it was beaten back by the Covid-19 outbreak.
The theme of Expo 2020 Dubai is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” with three (3) sub-themes of “Mobility”, “Opportunity” and “Sustainability.”
Uganda is participating under the “Opportunity” sub-theme. Speaking at the event yesterday, President Museveni rallied investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to take advantage of the resources and market the county’s beauty and potential in a bid to invite investors into the country.
Mr Museveni, who flew to the gulf state for a 3-day working trip, assured the would-be investors of an abundance of raw materials such as minerals and agriculture produce, as well as a market beyond the country’s borders.
“Uganda is the right place because Uganda happens to have all these three. When you come to invest in Uganda, you can produce so many goods and so many services, the spectrum is so big, and it is really unimaginable. There is nothing you cannot produce in Uganda,” he said.
Mr Museveni added: “Once you produce them, the next question is where do I sell what I produce and that’s how again Uganda comes in. These Ugandans are now 42 million, they are producing a lot of children. Uganda has got the youngest children and they are determined to be 106 million by 2050. That market of Uganda is there…once you produce a product in Uganda, it can be sold in the whole of Africa because now we have got the Continental Free Trade Area, the market of East Africa, the market of Comesa…”
Mr Museveni also said Uganda boasts of a well-educated human resource and is on an ambitious plan to improve its infrastructure, which is essential for business.
“We have also a highly educated population, with many scientists and technicians, so you can also produce knowledge based products…Uganda is the right place at the right time,” he added.
The President was accompanied by some Cabinet members includin Finance minister Matia Kasaija, ICT minister Chris Byaromunsi, Energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa, and Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, among other leaders.
The Ugandan delegation also included members from Uganda Investment Authority, Uganda Tourism Board, all whom are expected to promote the country as a priority destination for business and tourism.
At the Ugandan pavilion, the country showcased its rich cultural heritage, and the natural endowments in terms of good weather, and natural physical features.
The Expo that will run up to March 31, 2022 was officially opened on October 1. During his visit to the UAE, Mr Museveni is expected to meet and have bilateral discussions with the Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharja leaders.
ABOUT GULF REGION
Mega projects in the Gulf region include the Expo and the neighbouring Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 soccer World Cup. Dubai, the region’s tourism, trade and business hub, is hoping to boost its economy by attracting 25 million visits to the world fair, which was delayed for a year due to the pandemic.
