Zhang Lizhong, the Chinese ambassador to Uganda, has said that a new direct flight between Entebbe and China’s Guangzhou is expected to be opened for trade facilitation and people-to-people exchange.
Last year, Uganda Airlines announced that it has finalised a date of 18 October for its inaugural flight between Uganda and Guangzhou, China.
The carrier expressed joy while announcing this flight will be taking to the skies after it secured landing rights in China in late June 2022.
The newly announced service will be connecting the Ugandan capital city of Entebbe with China’s economic powerhouse Guangzhou with 11-hour non-stop flight that will be operating with the carrier’s Airbus A330-800 aircraft.
The initial flying rights enabled Uganda Airlines to operate a single weekly flight, with restrictions imposed on destinations other than Beijing and Shanghai.
Speaking at China (Changsha)-Uganda Investment Economic and Trade Promotion Event held 25th April 2023 at the Serena Kampala Hotel, Amb Zhang said the bilateral trade volume rose by 6.6% against the trend, reaching 1.14 billion US dollars.
“China granted zero-tariff treatment for 98% taxable items to Uganda and will support Uganda in exporting more value-added products into the Chinese market,” he noted.
He further observed that Chinese enterprises remained enthusiastic about investment in Uganda. China’s direct investment in Uganda reached 131 million US dollars in 2022, ranking No.10th among all African countries.
The two sides have made positive progress in investment projects in the fields of transportation, electricity generation and transmission, oil development and industrial parks.
The main objective of this Conference was to further bolster bilateral cooperation between Uganda and the People’s Republic of China specifically the sister-sister relations of Changsha City and Entebbe City.
According to the Ambassador, both countries are good friends, good partners and good brothers, noting, Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Museveni, the China-Uganda relationship has made significant progress in recent years and is in its best shape.
“Our political mutual trust has been continuously deepened, laying a solid foundation for the development of bilateral economic cooperation. In 2022, the economic cooperation between China and Uganda withstood the test of uncertain factors in the post-pandemic era and showed a good momentum of steady progress,” he revealed.
The Ambassador revealed that these hard-won achievements fully reflect the great importance attached by the governments and entrepreneurs of our two countries in deepening bilateral economic cooperation and further strengthening our confidence in tiding over uncertainties during the world economic recovery and creating a better future together.
The promotion conference focused on showcasing Uganda’s Investment opportunities in the areas of agriculture value addition; mineral development and promotion of the 3rd China Africa Economic and Trade Expo scheduled for June this year.
The Government of Uganda was represented by Hon. Frank Tumwebaze Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot, Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Amb, Elly Kamahunge Kafeero, Ag. Director Regional and Economic Affairs as well as other Government Officials from different MDAs. Over 60 companies from Uganda and China participated in the event.
In his remarks, Tumwebaze thanked the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda for the invitation to speak at China (Changsa City)- Uganda investment forum.
He welcomed His worship the mayor of Changsha City Hunnan Province and his business delegations.
Tumwebaze also informed them that Uganda has all the enablers for business growth.
