Government Pledges Swift Approvals for Entebbe Airport Free Zone Launch

The Ugandan government has pledged to expedite approvals and offer direct backing to exporters as it moves to make the Entebbe International Airport Free Zone fully operational. This initiative is positioned as a cornerstone of the nation’s strategy to invigorate export-led industrial expansion.

The commitment was solidified during a joint business forum organized by the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority (UFZEPA) and the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA). Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr. Sanjay Tanna, emphasized the government’s transition from policy formulation to practical implementation, aiming to integrate Ugandan businesses more effectively into the global market.

Tanna highlighted the free zone’s alignment with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which identifies agro-processing as a critical pillar for achieving Uganda’s economic ambitions. He stressed the need for “market-driven production” to protect farmers from volatile prices and exploitative middlemen, citing recent issues in the vanilla and cocoa sectors.

Responding to investor concerns about bureaucratic delays, Tanna assured that all pending paperwork would be cleared within a week, with a target of making the Entebbe facility operational within two months. This accelerated approach is crucial for agricultural exports, such as fruits and vegetables.

Stakeholders like Mr. Samuel Balagadde from Hortifresh Association Uganda Limited, while welcoming the progress, noted the urgency to establish internationally certified pack houses to meet EU standards. A significant EU funding commitment of 2 million euros for equipment and training is currently stalled due to an unresolved tenancy agreement, posing a risk of losing the funds.

UFZEPA’s Executive Director, Hez Kimoomi Alinda, underscored the importance of addressing bottlenecks swiftly to avoid financial losses and enable the private sector to achieve its growth objectives. The Entebbe Free Zone is projected to generate up to $113 million in exports within three years, leveraging its strategic location for both regional and international markets.

The forum concluded with a shared commitment between the government and the private sector to enhance collaboration, aiming to create jobs and bolster Uganda’s economic competitiveness through the free zones scheme.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-pledges-fast-track-approvals-to-operationalise-entebbe-airport-free-zone-5557842