BUSINESS | UGANDA | DR CONGO 

GOMA - The Governor of North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lt Gen Constant Ndima, has assured Ugandan traders and investors of security in Goma City.

Ndima was opening the Uganda-DRC Business Summit at Goma Serena Hotel on Monday when he said Ugandans were welcome to take up investment opportunities in his region.

"There are a lot of opportunities for investment in North Kivu. Ugandans can invest in agriculture and tourism among others," he said.

"I would like to assure Ugandans that I will continue improving the situation to enable smooth trade," the General told the more than 200 delegates from Uganda.

Ndima who also promised joint investment ventures with the private sector said the summit will open up opportunities for Congolese to invest in Uganda.

Ndima who also promised joint investment ventures with the private sector said the summit will open up opportunities for Congolese to invest in Uganda. (All Photos by John Tugume)

Trade state minister Harriet Ntabazi who is head of the Ugandan delegation said they had already signed more than 300 supply deals with companies in Kinshasa following the first leg of the summit.

"Trade between Uganda and DRC has been in existence for many years. We are only trying to formalise it," she said.

According to Ntabazi, Uganda and DRC were already working on various roads in North Kivu to enable traders move their goods from one town to another.

The summit was organised in conjunction with Private Sector Foundation Uganda headed by Stephen Asiimwe and the office of the Senior Presidential Advisor - Special Operations, Odrek Rwabwogo.

Asiimwe said they were seeking investment opportunities in trade, manufacturing, tourism, ICT, services, mining, health and education, banking, construction and real estate among others.

Rwabwogo said once trade between the two countries is booming, the youth would be attracted to join instead of going into ethnic and religion-related clashes.

As the summit was opening, another meeting was taking place at the same hotel of army commanders from the east African region.

The Ugandan team was led by Chief of Defense Forces General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi.