By KT Reporter
The UK Government has urged Uganda’s private sector to take advantage of the free trade preference the country has with the UK, especially with the coming of direct flights between the two countries.
Uganda Airlines is set to launch direct flights to London Gatwick next month, on a four-times-a-week basis, bringing the total number of destinations to 19 and the fourth country outside Africa.
Lisa Chesney, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, says the UK waived 95 percent of the tariffs on Ugandan exports to the country and that the opportunity given by the launch of the direct flights should not be ignored.
“This is one of the most generous trade preference schemes in the world, and the direct flight is the perfect opportunity for all of you here today to take advantage of this,” she told the Uganda-UK Business and Trade Forum in Kampala.
Chesney was also upbeat that, on top of cargo movement, especially of food exports, the connectivity will boost travel and tourism between the two countries, making it easier for prospective British travellers to visit Uganda.
Total trade in goods and services is estimated at 1 Billion Pounds or just over 4 Trillion Shillings annually, and Ambassador Chesney says this is too low.
The Uganda-UK Trade and Business Forum was organised under the theme: Bridging Opportunities with Nonstop Connections Across Africa and the World.
In her remarks, Jenifer Bamuturaki, the Chief Executive Officer at Uganda Airlines, said, despite coming almost five years later, the London route was among their initial target as a strategic destination because of the relationships between the two countries.
“Our London route is of great strategic importance due to our shared history, culture, business and social ties with the United Kingdom,” she said, adding that there was a lot of paperwork that delayed the commencement of operations. Indicating that their preferred destination was Gatwick Airport, she hinted that they are targeting Heathrow especially for winter schedules.
State Minister for Transport, Fred Byamukama, assured the company of continued government support, but decried the ignorance of the public, including policy makers in the industry.
He cited the social media posts by Ugandans on anything they hear or think about the company, and spread information without even verifying it, adding that travellers go through social media and other sources to read about the airline before choosing their options.
The minister also says that they find problems convincing parliament about financial support to the flag carrier because it does not make a profit yet, despite its contribution as an infrastructure.
Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, welcomed the developments at Uganda Airlines and urged the international business community to take advantage of it.
“A National Carrier opens up multiple opportunities. I would, therefore, like to use this opportunity to call upon the local and international business community here today to explore ways of leveraging the opportunities being opened up through Uganda Airlines’ expansion to support our vision for a tenfold increase in the Gross Domestic Product,” he said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
