China and UK companies based in Uganda agree to collaborate

China and UK businesses operating in Uganda have agreed to work together to boost their businesses and projects to present higher values of goods and services to Uganda. This was during the 4th China-UK business networking event. It was held at the Chinese Embassy in Kololo Kampala.

The Chinese ambassador to Uganda Zhao Yali said, the purpose of the event was to facilitate discussions between Chinese and UK companies to work together in 'the third country market' such as Uganda. He said the meeting follows China's go global strategy which encourages Chinese companies to work abroad and partner with foreign companies. He said Chinese and British companies have strengths and opportunities in different areas and by collaborating they can achieve more.

The British High Commissioner in Uganda, Alison Blackburne said the policy of the British government was to partner with Chinese companies in a policy the two countries call the 'third country market'.

"The platform provided by the Chinese embassy provides a platform for further cooperation, we want to see a win- win strategy for all," Blackburne said. Patrick Ton, director public relations and government affairs, Huawei, a leading global ICT company, said by continuously investing in businesses a company can bring more value to its customers.

He said their company was interested in creating information and communication technology solutions for their clients. He advised that improvement can take many years of effort but that requires dedication and integrity. Paul Shepherd- Smith, managing director Africa-Atkins said when companies work together they can achieve a lot more they can imagine.

Atkins is of one of the world's respected design, engineering and project management consultancies. Smith said they focus on building long-term trusted partnerships to create a world where lives are enriched through the implementation of ideas. Peter Speight, direct DAR PLUS, a company based in UK observed that companies working together can achieve much more than if they are fighting to do things alone. "Let us be ambitious in what we are thinking, let us not be narrow, if we fight for small things we will disappoint each other," Speight said.

Speight explained that three to four companies working together can accomplish projects but if they are thinking of working alone they may end up with partially finished projects. UK based companies that attended the event included AECOM, ARUP, BAM Nuttall Ltd, iMC Worldwide, Balton Uganda. Those from China included Huawei, Power China International Group Ltd, Zhongmei Engineering Group Ltd, China International Telecommunication Construction Corporation, China Communications Construction Company and China Gezhouba Group.