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OPINION

By Dammu Ravi

The deep bonds of friendship between India and Uganda are underpinned by strong people-to-people contacts, high level political contacts and diversified by trade and commerce linkages. The potential to fortify these bonds through economic partnerships is immense and it is in that context that a delegation, comprising major companies from India, is visiting Uganda on April 8-9.

The delegation comprises representatives from the Government, Indian business chambers and companies spanning diverse sectors, such as agriculture, agro-processing, agri-tech, ICT, healthcare, automotive, solar energy, education and infrastructure.

The agriculture sector offers immense scope for co-operation between India and Uganda. With access to abundant natural resources and fertile land, Uganda stands as a promising destination for Indian investments in this sector. India’s prowess in agriculture, agro-processing and agri-tech sectors is globally acknowledged. India today is not only food self-sufficient, with an annual food production of about 330 million tonnes, but a net exporter of food. It supplied food grains to several countries post-COVID, as well as during the current geopolitical tensions.

With advancements in research and technology, Indian companies have revolutionised farming practices to enhance productivity and sustainability. From precision farming techniques to state-of-the-art agri-equipment, India offers a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to address the evolving needs of the agricultural sector of Uganda. India’s agro-processing industry has also witnessed significant growth, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to transform raw agricultural produce into value-added products, thereby enhancing market competitiveness and expanding export opportunities.

Indian delegation would be exploring the possibilities of creating collaborative tie ups with local companies to grow food grains in Uganda and support food security in the region.

Uganda’s healthcare sector is another emerging area that presents huge investment opportunities, particularly in medical care, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals through collaborations.

With increasing government emphasis on public-private partnerships in healthcare, there exists a conducive environment for Indian investors to contribute to this sector’s growth. India’s healthcare sector boasts world-class facilities and expertise and attracts patients from across the globe seeking high-quality medical care at competitive prices.

India already plays host to a large number of Ugandan nationals who travel to India for critical medical care at affordable prices. The visiting Indian businesses will explore options to build such facilities in Uganda, strengthening existing health care facilities and augmenting skills to serve the needs of the people.

Today, India stands as a global leader in the realm of ICT, automobiles, solar energy, education and infrastructure sectors, exemplifying excellence and innovation.

India’s robust IT infrastructure and skilled workforce have propelled it to the forefront of the digital revolution, offering scalable solutions and services to businesses worldwide. India’s automobile industry has witnessed exponential growth with focus on innovation, sustainability and affordability, catering to diverse consumer preferences both domestically and internationally.

India’s commitment to generate 500 Giga Watt of renewable energy has resulted in significant investments in solar energy, positioning the country as a key player in the global clean energy transition.

We would like to encourage our entrepreneurs to set up renewable energy plants in Uganda to support the energy transition objective. India offers the third largest education system in the world and plays host to several African students, including from Uganda.

India set up the first overseas campus of National Forensic Sciences University of India in Jinja, Uganda, making it the first public university to set up a campus outside India.

Further, Indian businesses are looking for avenues for co-operation in the education sector in Uganda, especially in the area of vocational education focused on Job creation. Uganda’s pro-business policies create a favourable environment for businesses to thrive.

The Government’s commitment to support industrial zones through tax holidays and duty exemptions creates a welcoming environment for attracting investments. India has significant investments in Uganda in diverse sectors and today bilateral trade exceeds $1b. The country offers duty-free tariff preferences benefit to Uganda on 98.2% of our tariff lines for duty free import into India.

Our engagement with Africa goes beyond mere commerce. India’s investments abroad, particularly in Africa, underscore our commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and contribute to the continent’s socio-economic development. India has emerged as one of the top five investors in the African continent. Politically, we have stood by Africa in all its quests and aspirations from a shared sense of solidarity and fight against colonialism.

It was in India’s Chairmanship of G-20 that African Union became a permanent member of the G-20. With 44 embassies/ high commissions, India’s diplomatic presence has expanded in Africa.

As we embark on this journey of collaborations and mutual growth, I am confident that the visit of this Indian business delegation will not only strengthen bilateral ties between India and Uganda, but also unlock new avenues of collaborative ventures for both nations.

India will be an enduring partner of Uganda in the quest for sustainable development and shared prosperity between our two countries.

The writer is the Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India