The Annual Uganda-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Convention is set to foster cordial relations and bridge the business gap between Uganda and the UAE while tapping into different business investments.
The convention taking place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Deira-Dubai is a two-day event that started on November 25, 2023, and will end on November 26, 2023, with the Miss Uganda-UAE beauty pageant.
Robert Kamoga, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Ugandans Living in the UAE, thanked the diaspora committee for coming together and organizing the convention.
Kamoga said this year’s theme is” leveraging Uganda’s cordial relations with the UAE for mutual benefits of both countries and Ugandans in the Diaspora,” emphasizing that they are going to use it as a steering wheel to take the relationship between Uganda and the UAE to the next level.
His Excellency Henry Mayega, the Ambassador of Uganda to Dubai, applauded the executive members of the Ugandan Diaspora community for being instrumental in cementing Uganda-UAE bilateral relations.
“The consulate general commits to mobilizing the diaspora’s involvement in not only strengthening those bilateral relations but also increasing the volume of commerce, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows, tourists, and technology transfer,” Mayega said.
He noted that Dubai and its city have the highest population density in the UAE of the seven Emirates and enjoy a rich cultural diversity with over 200 nationalities, of which Uganda is part.
“It is the biggest financial centre in the Middle East with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 105 billion per capita income of USD 44,000 (2015), and it has emerged as a prominent city in global trade connecting the markets of Africa and the East and West,” added Mayega.
Mayega further noted that Uganda’s exports to the UAE currently amount to approximately USD 2 billion, and imports from the UAE to Uganda amount to USD 495 million, giving Uganda a comparative advantage in terms of volume of favorable trade and balance of payments.
Ugandans in the Diaspora are working collectively to foster bilateral relations with the UAE through trade, business, culture, tourism, and investments, among others.
