Services expo in offing
Feb 15, 2009
UGANDA is to host an international exhibition for businesses and professionals in the services sector to boost the country’s competitiveness in world market.
By John Odyek
UGANDA is to host an international exhibition for businesses and professionals in the services sector to boost the country’s competitiveness in world market.
“This expo will focus on promoting trade in services and increase visibility of the services trading firms to create a platform for business networking and synergies, learning of best practices, enhance business and investment opportunities between participating countries and companies,†Amos Tindyebwa, a director at the Trade and Business Development Centre stated.
The centre is a non-profit private sector organisation, spearheading the event together with the ministries of foreign affairs, trade, education, information and communication technology.
The expo will be held at the Uganda Manufacturers Association Showgrounds, Lugogo from March 23 to 28.
The Uganda Investment Authority and Uganda Export Promotions Board have also thrown their weight behind the event.
Tindyebwa explained that the trade in services contributes over 50% of Uganda’s gross domestic product.
“But this was not clearly recognised by the public,†he disclosed.
Over 31 categories in the services sector are expected to participate.
Tindyebwa pointed out that under the World Trade Organisation’s General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs, there were negotiations to liberalise trade in services.
“The expo will host a side event where experts will be presenting papers on trade in services particularly the GATTS negotiations and implicationsâ€.
The Economic Partnership Agreement on trade in services, best practices and national readiness strategies and policies for enhancing trade in services will be discussed, Tindyebwa stated.
Frank Mwebaze, the expo manager, said 1,000 participants were expected.
UGANDA is to host an international exhibition for businesses and professionals in the services sector to boost the country’s competitiveness in world market.
“This expo will focus on promoting trade in services and increase visibility of the services trading firms to create a platform for business networking and synergies, learning of best practices, enhance business and investment opportunities between participating countries and companies,†Amos Tindyebwa, a director at the Trade and Business Development Centre stated.
The centre is a non-profit private sector organisation, spearheading the event together with the ministries of foreign affairs, trade, education, information and communication technology.
The expo will be held at the Uganda Manufacturers Association Showgrounds, Lugogo from March 23 to 28.
The Uganda Investment Authority and Uganda Export Promotions Board have also thrown their weight behind the event.
Tindyebwa explained that the trade in services contributes over 50% of Uganda’s gross domestic product.
“But this was not clearly recognised by the public,†he disclosed.
Over 31 categories in the services sector are expected to participate.
Tindyebwa pointed out that under the World Trade Organisation’s General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs, there were negotiations to liberalise trade in services.
“The expo will host a side event where experts will be presenting papers on trade in services particularly the GATTS negotiations and implicationsâ€.
The Economic Partnership Agreement on trade in services, best practices and national readiness strategies and policies for enhancing trade in services will be discussed, Tindyebwa stated.
Frank Mwebaze, the expo manager, said 1,000 participants were expected.