VP Alupo Highlights Opportunities in Agriculture Sector to Danish Investors

Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has pledged the Government’s commitment to supporting more investments from Denmark, and Uganda’s continued strong bilateral cooperation between the two countries. 

She noted that Uganda has a favorable environment for investment, especially that there is peace and stability, and low cost of doing business, enabling laws and infrastructure among several other investment incentives. 

She gave her commitment to the Delegation from Denmark, which met her at her office in Kampala city on Wednesday evening.

The Vice President met the Danish Delegation on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni.

The delegation was led by the Ambassador of Denmark to Uganda Nicolaj. A Hejberg Petersen, and was accompanied by Uganda’s Ambassador to Denmark, Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani. 

The Danish Food and Agriculture Delegation was in Uganda to follow up on business-to-business opportunities with like-minded business entities and farmers in Uganda.

The visit to Uganda was organized by the Danish Trade Council, the Uganda Mission in Denmark, and Danish Embassy in Kampala.

While in the country, the Danish delegates explored development cooperation that is relevant to their businesses in the agriculture sector.

They also studied the dynamics of the agricultural sector as a business in Uganda, and also visited farmers and big agricultural firms in Uganda.

The Vice President noted that Uganda is determined to continue having a strong bilateral relationship with Denmark.

She noted, “Uganda appreciates its relations with Denmark which has been extended in several development cooperation areas of social, economic and political spheres.” 

She also commended Denmark for its investment in Uganda, to a tune of DKK 945 million (EUR 127 million) in the period between 2018 to 2021.

She explained that the particular focus was on two thematic programmes: Uganda Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Development of the Economy (UPSIDE) and Uganda Programme for Governance, Rights, Accountability, and Democracy (UPGRADE). 

Denmark and Uganda have been close development partners for three decades.

Through the years, Denmark has provided support within the areas of education, health, roads, water & sanitation, climate change, agriculture, private sector development, trade, and good governance. 

Denmark’s future relations with Uganda, are clearly described in the Danish country policy for Uganda which details the Danish vision and focuses on areas for Denmark’s partnership with Uganda 2018-2022.

The Country Policy Paper for Uganda is in line with Denmark’s Strategy for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action “The World 2030”.

Denmark supports Uganda’s fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular focusing on five goals.

These include alleviating Poverty (Goal No.1), Gender equality and empowerment of girls and women (Goal No.5), Promotion of sustainable growth and decent work (Goal No.8), Reduction of inequality (Goal No.10), and Peace, justice and strong institutions (Goal No.16). 

The Vice President also welcomed the Danish investors continued desire to invest in Uganda.

She noted, “I welcome the Danish Food and Agriculture Delegation to Uganda. I believe they have explored areas of cooperation that are relevant to their businesses in the agriculture sector and can take advance of the opportunities in the sector through their interactions with farmers and big Agricultural firms in Uganda.” 

The Vice President noted that Uganda has a number of raw materials especially agricultural products which need value addition through the modern technology of farming and production to improve the quality of the products for exports. 

“We invite more investors in industries, which will boost production of goods and provide employment opportunities to Ugandans,” she explained.  

She encouraged the investors to have more engagements on partnership agreements with local companies and institutions for technology sharing and exchange on new technologies.  

“This will greatly improve the agriculture value chain system. With the exchanges you have held I hope that your companies can further the agricultural development of our country,” she added. 

The Danish Agriculture & Food Council (DAFC) represents the farming and food industries of Denmark including companies, trade, and farmers’ associations.

Agriculture and food is Denmark’s largest competence cluster, employing over 186,000 people and exporting agricultural products, food, and equipment to an annual value of around €20 billion.

The role of the Danish Agriculture & Food Council includes promoting the political influence of the agricultural and food sector, offering a comprehensive range of cost-effective services for its members, and implementing research and development programmes within food safety and veterinary issues, animal health, and productivity, animal welfare, environment, and energy.

The delegation included eight companies’ representatives. The five companies included SKOV, FOSS Analytics A/D, RobCO, Engsko, Hos Agronomy, Cimbria, and COLAS. The Team also had a representative from the Danish Agriculture and Food Council.

SKOV, a world leader in climate and farm management for animal production found in more than 50 countries with a specialty in ventilation and farm management for animal production. 

The other company was FOSS Analytics A/D; is a leading global provider of analytics for the food and agriculture industries whose analytics help optimize the use of food and agricultural resources by running intelligent data-driven productions. 

The delegation also had ROBCO which manufactures equipment and accessories for the production of twine, ropes, and sacks. The other company was Agronomy, providing advisory in agriculture and farm management.

The other company was Engsko, the manufacturers of high-quality millstones and tailor-made milling systems and equipment spanning decades of experience with grain handling and flour milling. #ENDS...