H.E. Ambassador Oyella Betty Bigombe, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, underscored the significance of the Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025 as a pivotal platform not only for business-to-business (B2B) engagements but also for government-to-government (G2G) discussions that can lead to concrete investment deals (PHOTO/Courtesy)
KAMPALA – Uganda is gearing up for the Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025, a high-profile event aimed at showcasing the country’s vast investment potential and strengthening its economic ties with Southeast Asia.
Scheduled to take place on April 23-24 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the forum is organized by the Uganda High Commission in Malaysia and forms a crucial part of Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) agenda.
The primary objective of the event is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), enhance bilateral trade, and deepen Uganda’s business partnerships with key countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
During a recent media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Kampala, Ugandan diplomats and business leaders emphasized the importance of leveraging partnerships with Asian nations to drive economic growth.
Amb. Charles Ssentongo, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the long-standing relationship between Uganda and Asian countries, particularly Malaysia. “The partnerships we have fostered with countries like Malaysia under frameworks such as the Commonwealth and South-South Cooperation hold tremendous promise,” Ambassador Ssentongo remarked.
He noted that these strategic partnerships are pivotal to Uganda’s goal of modernizing its economy and expanding its market access. “Uganda’s peaceful business environment, combined with its attractive investment policies, creates a compelling case for foreign businesses to consider Uganda as a prime destination for investment,” Amb. Ssentongo added.
The session was moderated by Margaret Kafeero, the Head of Public Diplomacy at MOFA, who called upon the media to shift its focus from politics to highlighting the tangible economic strides being made. “While we cannot ignore the political landscape, there is a larger story – the story of Uganda’s economic transformation,” she stated.
Kafeero emphasized the need for Ugandan journalists to engage more deeply with diplomatic missions abroad, encouraging them to uncover the work being done to promote Uganda as an investment hub on the global stage.
In addition to the diplomatic push, Honorary Consul of Malaysia to Uganda, Al Haji Habib Kagimu, made a pointed remark about the crucial role foreign trade plays in a nation’s economic survival. Drawing comparisons with Singapore and Malaysia, Kagimu highlighted how these countries, with smaller populations, boast impressive GDPs—$501 billion for Singapore and nearly $400 billion for Malaysia.
He suggested that Uganda, with its goal of a $500 billion economy within 15 years, must prioritize trade and investment over political discourse to achieve this target. “The focus must be on industrialization, trade, and making money, rather than solely on politics,” Kagimu emphasized, urging the media to publicize opportunities for Ugandan businesses abroad.
H.E. Ambassador Oyella Betty Bigombe, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, underscored the significance of the Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025 as a pivotal platform not only for business-to-business (B2B) engagements but also for government-to-government (G2G) discussions that can lead to concrete investment deals.
“This forum is not just about exhibitions,” she noted. “It is a business matchmaking platform, where manufacturers, investors, and industrialists will have the chance to form alliances that drive meaningful investment.”
Ambassador Bigombe also spoke about Uganda’s strategic plans for expanding its presence in the ASEAN market. She pointed out that Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 presents a prime opportunity for Uganda to gain deeper access to the region’s robust markets.
Ambassador Elly Kamahungye, Head of International Economic Cooperation at MOFA, echoed these sentiments, outlining Uganda’s aspirations in agriculture, oil and gas, ICT, and tourism as key areas for collaboration. Kamahungye emphasized the need for sustained engagement with Asian investors to capitalize on Uganda’s agricultural potential, particularly in coffee, tea, and palm oil production, as well as opportunities in oil exploration and ICT innovation.
The Honorary Consul of Thailand to Uganda, Ms. Barbara Mulwana, a prominent figure in Uganda’s private sector, also made an insightful contribution to the discussion. When asked about the value of attending the upcoming expo, she emphasized that the event offers more than just an exhibition—it serves as an educational platform for business leaders to understand market dynamics and risks.
“We attend such events not just for the exhibitions but to learn, make strategic decisions, and mitigate risks,” Mulwana stated, further highlighting the event’s significance in fostering strong, actionable business partnerships.
Amb. Bigombe touched upon the issue of Ugandan migrants in Southeast Asia, particularly those facing difficulties in countries like Myanmar and Malaysia.
She reassured the public that the Uganda High Commission is actively working on their safe return and urged Ugandans seeking employment abroad to use official channels to avoid falling
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