Overview:
The president met the investors at State Lodge, Nakasero. They were led by Farid Belbouab, the chief executive officer of Gulftainer Co. Ltd.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with a delegation of investors from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the United Arab Emirates, who expressed interest in boosting Uganda’s cargo transport sector by constructing an inland port.
The president met the investors at State Lodge, Nakasero. They were led by Farid Belbouab, the chief executive officer of Gulftainer Co. Ltd.
The investors presented a proposal aimed at improving goods handling at dry ports before and after arrival, which they said would lower the cost of doing business and enhance efficiency in regional trade.
The delegation informed the president that they are negotiating with the Ugandan government and expect to finalize the first phase of the project within the next six months.
Museveni advised them to expedite the process, emphasizing that such infrastructure projects create jobs and increase the consumption of essential services such as electricity and water.
“Uganda benefits from jobs as these projects employ many people, use electricity and water, and also stimulate local commerce,” Museveni said.
He observed that dry ports play a critical role in easing the movement of goods and should primarily focus on facilitating efficient logistics rather than taxation.
Museveni welcomed the initiative and pledged government support for its implementation.
The meeting focused on enhancing trade facilitation, improving logistics infrastructure and attracting investment into Uganda’s transport and storage sector to promote regional integration and economic growth.