By godfrey Olukya 21-11-2013
President Yoweri Museveni has emphasized that improving production, consumption and infrastructure are crucial links to economical development, adding that China, Uganda and East Africa have a big potential in the agricultural and tourism sectors that need to be exploited.
“East African- China cooperation has a big potential for the global economy. There are many things that China wants that Africa has and vice versa,” he said.
The President was today addressing delegates during the official opening of the dialogue of governors and mayors from China and the
East African Community currently taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo under the theme “Business Cooperation and Development”.
President Museveni advised delegates to use the opportunity to explore and asses the mining potential in Uganda. Taking the delegates through the history between Africa and China, he said their relationship is a strong one noting that the Chinese leaders actively supported the anti colonial movements in Africa. He stressed that the cooperation between Africa is old and very deep.
In reference to the dialogue, he noted that the interactions go to deepen old relations forged during the anti colonial movements. He was pleased to note that the Chinese delegation was meeting delegates from the entire East African region, adding that the partnership is not only to benefit the East African Community but also its neighbors like the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. He said through this forum they would access COMESA and Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) members.
The Vice President of the Chinese People Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Mr. Feng Zuoku commended the President for his contribution towards strengthening their bilateral relations. He noted that the dialogue is an important milestone for the cooperation.
The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) is an organization engaged in people-to-people diplomacy between the People’s Republic of China and other countries. It aims at enhancing friendship, furthering international cooperation, safe guarding world peace and promoting common development on behalf of the Chinese people.
The Minister for Local Government Adolf Kasaija Mwesige called on local government leaders to take advantage of the partnership by
developing market infrastructure and competitiveness. He also advised them to create conditions for tourism by sustaining peace brought by the government and also support measures geared towards conflict resolution.
The dialogue is an outcome of last year’s August Forum for China Africa Local Government Cooperation meeting [FCALGC] held in Beijing China and aims at promoting the relations of all-round friendship, equality, cooperation, development and mutual benefit between Chinese and African local governments. The dialogue aims at stimulating economic development through increased business promotion, cooperation and development.
The FCALGC currently boosts of membership from 40 African countries and China itself. During the dialogue delegates, political and technical leaders of local governments and representatives of the private sector will focus more on identifying projects that can be implemented in partnership with their Chinese counterparts.
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