Uganda and Serbia have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at deepening trade and agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
The MOUs were signed on Sunday during a meeting between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his host, H.E Aleksandar Vucic, at the Presidential Palace in Belgrade.
Speaking on the occasion, Museveni commended the Republic of Serbia for its continued bilateral cooperation with Uganda.
“I am, therefore, happy to be here and renew the cooperation between our two countries, especially deepening cooperation in the trade and agriculture sectors.”
The Serbian President, H.E Aleksandar Vucic, pledged total support and cooperation with Uganda by ensuring that the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the two countries are implemented.
The Minister of State for Trade, Hon. Harriet Ntabazi, signed the economic Cooperation MOU on behalf of Uganda whereas Tomislav Momirovic, the Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, signed on behalf of Serbia.
This pact will promote economic development in the fields of mutual interests on the basis of equality between Uganda and Serbia.
Museveni said he also had a Serbia-Uganda business meeting with several business owners from both countries.
“I call upon the Serbians to work with us in adding value to our agricultural raw materials like coffee, tea and cocoa, among others. Africans have many problems because they do not get true value from their products. We lose a lot of money because we don’t add value to these products.”
The second MOU on agriculture was signed by Jelena Tanaskovic, Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and Bright Rwamirama, Uganda’s Minister of State for Animal Industry.
The agreement on agriculture will enable the two countries to cooperate in the field of promoting climate-smart sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing food security and fostering Agricultural technology transfer.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Senior Presidential Advisor-Special Duties also chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), Odrek Rwabwogo, among others.
Museveni will also officially open the Uganda Trade Hub “UGANDA CONNECT” in Belgrade which is aimed at paving the way for Uganda’s goods and services in the Balkans region.