Uganda Reaffirms Commitment to Dutch Investors in High-Level Trade Meeting
KAMPALA – In a significant move to strengthen economic ties, Uganda’s State House Investors Protection Unit hosted a high-level delegation from the Netherlands Embassy on Thursday, focusing on safeguarding Dutch investments and enhancing bilateral trade.
The Dutch delegation was led by Deputy Ambassador Bouwe-Jan Smeding and included First Secretary for Economic Cooperation Corrine Abbas, Policy Officer for Trade, Investment & Economic Diplomacy Andrew Byaruhanga, and Moses Kaggwa, the Director of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
They were welcomed by Col. Edith Naka, Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit.
The meeting included leaders from the Netherlands Uganda Trade and Investment Platform (NUTIP), underscoring the platform’s role as a key conduit for Dutch business interests in the country. The discussions centered on the Ugandan government’s commitment to supporting investment decisions and proactively addressing specific challenges raised by the Dutch business community.
The Netherlands holds a pivotal position in Uganda’s economy, having been the largest source of foreign direct investment in 2023, accounting for 38% of all inflows. Dutch investments are primarily concentrated in critical sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, and renewable energy.
A broad representation of Ugandan agencies attended the meeting, including officials from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). This demonstrated a whole-of-government approach to improving the investment climate.
Key participants from NUTIP included General Manager Sydney Obua Odongo and representative Shantelle Shifra Awio.
Both parties committed to ongoing collaboration, with a focus on anti-corruption efforts and streamlining business procedures to foster a more predictable and secure environment for Dutch capital, thereby deepening the economic cooperation between the two nations.
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