Donors Laud Uganda On Economic Stand
May 14, 2003
DONORS have hailed Uganda’s economic performance as exemplary and announced that they would ensure that their markets remain open to Ugandan exports.
By Alfred Wasike
DONORS have hailed Uganda’s economic performance as exemplary and announced that they would ensure that their markets remain open to Ugandan exports.
The announcement comes after President Yoweri Museveni appealed to developed nations to open their lucrative markets to Africa’s exports.
Museveni also called for donor support to re-open the Uganda-Kenya railway line and help Uganda generate cheap electricity as an engine to industrialisation.
Opening the Fourth Uganda Government/Donors’ conference in Kampala yesterday, Museveni lashed out at Uganda’s politicians for frustrating investors by “over-estimating themselvesâ€.
The meetings at which donors make financial commitments to help Uganda used to be held in Paris, France until 1997.
Reading out the donors’ position, the director general in the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Jorunn Maehlum said, “On behalf of the development partners supporting Uganda’s economic growth and transformation, we commend the Government of Uganda for its own strong commitment to private sector growth.â€
“We welcome the importance that Uganda puts on market access and commend its efforts to build sustainable capacity to seize existing opportunities. On our side we are committed, in addition, to support these efforts in Uganda, to ensure that markets remain widely open and provide opportunities for Ugandan exports,†Maehlum declared.
The donors urged Uganda to “maximise efforts to reduce the impact of public sector corruption on private businesses.â€
They said the 2003 East Africa Association survey noted that corruption was still a concern resulting into increased costs, operational delays and a non-level playing field.
The World Bank country director for East Africa, Judy O’Connor hailed Uganda, “as an example of best practice in participatory engagement.â€
Finance minister, Gerald Ssendaula presented Uganda’s economic position to the donors.
Ends
DONORS have hailed Uganda’s economic performance as exemplary and announced that they would ensure that their markets remain open to Ugandan exports.
The announcement comes after President Yoweri Museveni appealed to developed nations to open their lucrative markets to Africa’s exports.
Museveni also called for donor support to re-open the Uganda-Kenya railway line and help Uganda generate cheap electricity as an engine to industrialisation.
Opening the Fourth Uganda Government/Donors’ conference in Kampala yesterday, Museveni lashed out at Uganda’s politicians for frustrating investors by “over-estimating themselvesâ€.
The meetings at which donors make financial commitments to help Uganda used to be held in Paris, France until 1997.
Reading out the donors’ position, the director general in the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Jorunn Maehlum said, “On behalf of the development partners supporting Uganda’s economic growth and transformation, we commend the Government of Uganda for its own strong commitment to private sector growth.â€
“We welcome the importance that Uganda puts on market access and commend its efforts to build sustainable capacity to seize existing opportunities. On our side we are committed, in addition, to support these efforts in Uganda, to ensure that markets remain widely open and provide opportunities for Ugandan exports,†Maehlum declared.
The donors urged Uganda to “maximise efforts to reduce the impact of public sector corruption on private businesses.â€
They said the 2003 East Africa Association survey noted that corruption was still a concern resulting into increased costs, operational delays and a non-level playing field.
The World Bank country director for East Africa, Judy O’Connor hailed Uganda, “as an example of best practice in participatory engagement.â€
Finance minister, Gerald Ssendaula presented Uganda’s economic position to the donors.
Ends