China unveils preferential tariff for Uganda’s exports

The Chinese Embassy in Uganda has unveiled its latest preferential tariff for Uganda’s exports to China, which has been increased to 98 percent. 

Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong said the tariff increase is in line with President Xi Jinping’s pledge made last year during the eighth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Ambassador Lizhong said President Xi had put forward nine programmes for future China-Africa cooperation, including increase in the scope of products enjoying zero tariff treatment for least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China.

“Since then, both China and Africa, and Uganda in particular have been working closely to implement the outcomes of the … conference. We are happy to see that the commitment of granting Uganda zero tariff treatment of 98 percent has been delivered. It will come into force on December 1,” he said at the function in Kampala on Friday.

Minister of Trade Francis Mwebesa urged Ugandans to produce goods that are relevant to China if they are to benefit from the new tariff structure.  

“We do not have the goods that the Chinese need. It is quite obvious that China is a great market. There are a lot of restrictions on other markets such as Europe. We must use this opportunity,” he said.

Some of the goods considered under the preferential tariff include fish, chicken, cattle for breeding, pigs, guinea fowl, turkeys, honey, rabbit meat and milk.