Netherlands ambassador hosts diplomatic delegation at 10th Harvest Money Expo

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The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, Frederieke Quispel, has hosted a delegation of ambassadors, high commissioners and embassy officials at the 10th edition of the Harvest Money Expo at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.

The diplomats were received by Ambassador Quispel on Saturday, February 28, and taken on a guided tour of the Dutch Village, a dedicated pavilion showcasing Dutch innovation and partnerships in Uganda’s agricultural sector.

Among those in attendance were John Shama Shaga, Nigeria’s ambassador; Virginie Leroy, the ambassador of France; Paul Kisesa Simuli, Tanzania’s high commissioner; Ibrahim Ahmed Sultan and Ahmed Abdulrahman Abdulla Al-Zweidi from Libya; Giulio Michele Girardelli; Robel Admassu Ashagre; Upender Singh Rawat; and Mohammed Ahmed, dean of the Diplomatic Corps. Diplomats from South Africa, Egypt and Denmark were also present.

Ambassador Quispel said there is significant business potential in Uganda’s agriculture sector and commended the Danish government for establishing a Danish pavilion at this year’s expo, where Danish companies are exhibiting products and opportunities in agriculture.

She encouraged other countries to follow suit by setting up national pavilions at future editions of the expo, noting that she looks forward to the 11th edition with even broader international participation.

The ambassador said the Netherlands continues to showcase how it does business with Uganda by sharing knowledge and skills, adding that Dutch organisations are set to invest €100m in the coming years.

She noted that Dutch companies are already using Ugandan raw materials and adding value locally, including the production of animal feeds for both Uganda and the wider region, in line with the Ugandan government’s goal of promoting value addition.

Ambassador Quispel added that there is strong potential for deeper collaboration with the Government of Uganda to further strengthen the agricultural sector. She said Uganda has the capacity to become a food basket for Africa and the world.

The Harvest Money Expo is being held at the Kololo Grounds in Kampala from February 27 to March 1, under the theme Farming as a Business.

The expo is supported by key sponsors, including the Kingdom of the Netherlands, ENGSOL, Tunga Nutrition, aBi, Pearl Bank, Pepsi, and the Uganda Development Corporation. Other notable sponsors include Heifer International, Roke Telecom, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).