Local investors told to work with Japanese

Sep 15, 2008

THE proprietor of Hotel Africana, Haji Bulaim Muwanga Kibirige, is one of the Ugandans who have benefited from cooperating with Japan, Patrick Bitature, the chairman of the Uganda Investment Authority, has said.

By Mikaili Sseppuya

THE proprietor of Hotel Africana, Haji Bulaim Muwanga Kibirige, is one of the Ugandans who have benefited from cooperating with Japan, Patrick Bitature, the chairman of the Uganda Investment Authority, has said.

“The owner of Hotel Africana is a pioneer of Uganda-Japanese cooperation. He managed to first work well with his Japanese counterparts in vehicles trading before venturing into hotels, heavy vehicles and other businesses,” he explained, adding that local investors should emulate Kibirige.

This was during a meeting with the Japanese Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

Bitature said Kibirige had connected many people to Japanese businessmen, which had led to exchange of skills and knowledge.

“Traditionally, African people looked to the West for most of their interaction, but now they are looking East as well. Japan and Uganda have a lot in common and we need to build ties. Also, we need to learn from their work ethics, which make them so productive,” he said.

Nubuhide Minorikawa, the Japanese parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs, said the delegation from 21 firms was here to do business with Ugandans.

“Ugandans are eager to do business. Let’s have more business partnerships and overcome any obstacles we might meet,” he said.

Adolf Mwesigye, the general duties minister in the Office of the Vice-President, said African countries had missed out on foreign direct investments in spite of economic and political reforms.

“We are getting $1b from overseas labour. Japanese tour operators could also support our tourism drive to have more of them coming to Uganda. Also the 120 million man market in East Africa should be good for Japanese investors.”

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