Finland to support Uganda's social transformation efforts

PIC: Vice President Edward Ssekandi and the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipilä at his residence in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

The Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi currently in Northern Europe has asked the Government of Finland to support Uganda Agriculture sector improve its efforts to reach its potential.

The Vice President, who was meeting the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipilä at his residence in the Finnish capital of Helsinki on August 29, said Uganda was committed to attaining a middle-income status and will rely on experiences from countries like Finland.

He asked for support from Finnish Government experts and agriculturists in areas of education, commercial agriculture and value addition saying Finland would be a reliable partner in the effort given its wide experience in agriculture industrialization in Europe.

He also called for bilateral development cooperation agreements with Helsinki administration to facilitate trade and corporation between Finland and Uganda and also provide training and job opportunities to Uganda youth.

The Finnish Prime Minister said that although Uganda and Finland seem to be separated by distance and low levels of trade between them, they are faced by several business and cooperation opportunities.

He said that with the growth rate of 5.6, Africa was the fastest growing economy in the world and given Africa's demand for energy tripling every 10 years, while that of Europe remain static, the continent was a crucial partner saying Uganda's position on the continent was also strategic for business in Africa.

He said Finland was ready to work with Uganda to improve both bilateral and trade relations between two countries to benefit the people and business communities in the two countries.

The Vice President also met the Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade, Development and Cooperation Kai Mykkänen who pledged his country's willingness to support Uganda as requested by the Vice President and also promote trade and investment by Finnish companies in Uganda.

He promised to lobby Finish companies to take advantage in Uganda's mining industry and real estate and support Uganda's efforts towards industrialization.

The Vice President who was accompanied to the meetings by Uganda's Ambassador to the Nordics Zaake Wanume Kibedi will also address Ugandans living in Europe in Helsinki  and later also meet with leaders of Sweden in Stochholm.