Ugandan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia woos Jordan investors

Dec 16, 2014

Uganda’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, also the country’s permanent representative to the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu paid a visit to his majesty King Abdullah II, of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Thursday.

By Maureen Nakatudde and Jordan correspondent

 Uganda’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, also the country’s permanent representative to the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu paid a visit to his majesty King Abdullah II, of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Thursday.

He met King Abdulla II at Royal Hashemite Court, at Basman Palace, located in the Kingdom’s capital, Amman.

Dr. Ssemuddu appealed to his Majesty King Abdullah II   to promote investment and trade opportunities between Uganda and Jordan.

“There should be a formation of an investment fund into which funds are  channeled for investment in mineral wealth, oil and gas projects as well as energy and other strategic areas of interest,” Dr. Ssemuddu suggested.

While unveiling the opportunities available in Uganda, Dr. Semuddu told the King that Uganda has opportunities for manufacturers to set up businesses and value addition to the country’s agricultural vast produce, household goods as well as industrial products.

 “Ugandan traders are  in search of markets for their high quality agriculture produce, including fresh fruits and vegetables, beverages, cereals, spices as well as lamb, beef and poultry, among other products,” he said.

“The country also needs investors in the areas of energy production, oil and gas production and infrastructure, mineral wealth exploitation, tourism and the hospitality industry as well as education, research and development spheres.”

Dr. Semuddu also requested for scholarships and exchange programmes for Ugandan students so that they can benefit from good quality education opportunities from Jordan’s 33 universities.

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H.E Dr. Rashid Ssemuddu inspecting the guard of honor at the Royal Hashemite Court Basman Palace, Amman Jordan

 

Since Uganda is an agricultural based nation, the ambassador stressed the need for the sector to use artificial fertilizers to spur massive production and if Jordan complied, the country’s production would be much better than it is.

In response, King Abdulla II said that Jordan looks to Uganda and the Eastern Africa region at large as regional partners and he hopes they will work together.  

“Jordanian investors would come to Uganda to explore investment opportunities, specifically the mineral industry,” he revealed

Furthermore, King Abdulla II praised president Museveni for his role in the fight against terrorism. He pledged to support the Ugandan government in the fight against the vice.

Dr. Ssemuddu’s visit came after the state visit of President Yoweri Museveni to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the only country in the Arabian Gulf that is not under the cluster to which the Ambassador is accredited.

The ceremony also happened only hours after the conclusion of a high level meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) held in Amman, underscoring the importance of Jordan in regional strategic alliances.

Besides Jordan, Dr. Semuddu is the ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar

The meeting included dignitaries from the government of Jordan: Chief of the Royal Court, Dr. Fayez Al Tarawneh, and Foreign Minister of Jordan, H.E. Nasser Judeh.
 

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