President Yoweri Museveni engaged in discussions with Mr. Hassan Berkani, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services of Casablanca-Settat, Morocco, at State House, Entebbe, on Tuesday.
These focused on enhancing the value of Ugandan coffee, marking a pivotal step in reducing dependence on raw materials.
President Museveni expressed his commitment to breaking free from the raw-material dependency, emphasizing the need for adding value to resources and he urged the Moroccan investor to contribute to Uganda’s journey of transforming its raw materials, citing the vast potential for growth in the coffee sector.
Highlighting Uganda’s robust foundation in infrastructure, education, and health, President Museveni underscored the favorable environment for private businesses and he noted Uganda’s historical role as producers of crops and livestock, providing a solid base for investors to add value to existing agricultural products.
On his part, Mr. Berkani pledged to export enhanced Ugandan coffee to Morocco and Europe, recognizing the market competitiveness gained through value addition.
Expressing interest in various sectors like infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and industry, he sought guidance on Uganda’s priorities, referencing Morocco’s numerous bilateral agreements.
President Museveni suggested potential investment areas, expanding Mr. Berkani’s focus to include honey value addition and beverage packaging.
The Moroccan investor, committed to diversifying his interests, promised to explore these opportunities further.
The meeting also saw the attendance of Hon. Evelyn Anite, the Minister of State for Investment and Privatization, highlighting the collaborative efforts towards fostering economic development.