Rwanda gives Uganda sh90m for CHOGM
May 07, 2007
ALTHOUGH not yet a confirmed member of the Commonwealth, Rwanda is helping in the preparations for the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) stated for November in Uganda.
By Moses Mulondo
ALTHOUGH not yet a confirmed member of the Commonwealth, Rwanda is helping in the preparations for the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) stated for November in Uganda.
The minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa, has revealed that Rwanda has contributed sh90m ($50,000) to help in the preparations for the 2007 Kampala Commonwealth Business Forum.
Kutesa told Rwanda-based New Times recently that Rwandan President Paul Kagame will be attending as an observer at the invitation of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Ugandan government.
Last Friday, the vice-chairperson of the 2007 business forum preparation committee, Prof. Maggie Kigozi, confirmed receipt of the Rwanda funds.
She told the New Vision that the Government had also invited Burundi for the forum.
“We want to handle the 2007 Commonwealth Business Forum as a joint opportunity for all East African Community members. That is why we are involving them directly in the preparations,†Kigozi said.
Last year, Rwanda and Burundi were admitted to the East African Community, creating a larger market.
Kigozi said they have so far registered 600 delegates from the different Commonwealth countries fir the forum. She, however, said there were still more vacancies left.
She said those who are registering before June are charged a lower fee of $500 and those registering after June will pay $1,000.
Kigozi also said the business forum awareness campaign will be officially launched by President Yoweri Museveni tomorrow at the Sheraton Kampala hotel.
“We have invited over 200 delegates from the East African region fraternity to discuss how best to organise and benefit from the business forum. After that, President Museveni will go to London and launch it on June 6.â€
The business forum is a major international event that draws together business and government leaders from the 53 Commonwealth states to review business practices, economic trends, and government economic policies.
It also provides facilities that enable direct business linkages and investment promotion activities.
The business forum holds plenary sessions and interactive workshops for three days, prior to CHOGM.
The business forum will take place from November 20 to 22 at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
It will be opened by Museveni and the head of the East African Community. Issues to be discussed during the business forum include: business opportunities in East Africa, reducing trade barriers among member countries, boosting information and communications technology as a way of reducing the digital divide, south-to-south trade and investment, and the prospects of increasing trade and investment among commonwealth countries.
The business forum organised by the chairman of the Uganda Private Sector Foundation, James Mulwana and co-chaired by Maggie Kigozi, the executive director of Uganda Investment Authority.
The resolutions to be reached during the forum will be implemented by the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC).
CBC provides leadership in increasing international trade and investment flows, creating new business opportunities, promoting good governance and corporate social responsibility as well as reducing the digital divide and integrating developing countries into the global market.
ALTHOUGH not yet a confirmed member of the Commonwealth, Rwanda is helping in the preparations for the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) stated for November in Uganda.
The minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa, has revealed that Rwanda has contributed sh90m ($50,000) to help in the preparations for the 2007 Kampala Commonwealth Business Forum.
Kutesa told Rwanda-based New Times recently that Rwandan President Paul Kagame will be attending as an observer at the invitation of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Ugandan government.
Last Friday, the vice-chairperson of the 2007 business forum preparation committee, Prof. Maggie Kigozi, confirmed receipt of the Rwanda funds.
She told the New Vision that the Government had also invited Burundi for the forum.
“We want to handle the 2007 Commonwealth Business Forum as a joint opportunity for all East African Community members. That is why we are involving them directly in the preparations,†Kigozi said.
Last year, Rwanda and Burundi were admitted to the East African Community, creating a larger market.
Kigozi said they have so far registered 600 delegates from the different Commonwealth countries fir the forum. She, however, said there were still more vacancies left.
She said those who are registering before June are charged a lower fee of $500 and those registering after June will pay $1,000.
Kigozi also said the business forum awareness campaign will be officially launched by President Yoweri Museveni tomorrow at the Sheraton Kampala hotel.
“We have invited over 200 delegates from the East African region fraternity to discuss how best to organise and benefit from the business forum. After that, President Museveni will go to London and launch it on June 6.â€
The business forum is a major international event that draws together business and government leaders from the 53 Commonwealth states to review business practices, economic trends, and government economic policies.
It also provides facilities that enable direct business linkages and investment promotion activities.
The business forum holds plenary sessions and interactive workshops for three days, prior to CHOGM.
The business forum will take place from November 20 to 22 at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
It will be opened by Museveni and the head of the East African Community. Issues to be discussed during the business forum include: business opportunities in East Africa, reducing trade barriers among member countries, boosting information and communications technology as a way of reducing the digital divide, south-to-south trade and investment, and the prospects of increasing trade and investment among commonwealth countries.
The business forum organised by the chairman of the Uganda Private Sector Foundation, James Mulwana and co-chaired by Maggie Kigozi, the executive director of Uganda Investment Authority.
The resolutions to be reached during the forum will be implemented by the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC).
CBC provides leadership in increasing international trade and investment flows, creating new business opportunities, promoting good governance and corporate social responsibility as well as reducing the digital divide and integrating developing countries into the global market.