Minister Okello Oryem and his South African counterpart Dr. Naledi Pandor shaking hands before jointly addressing the 2nd Session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation between Uganda and South Africa.
Uganda’s Minister of State for International Relations, Henry Okello Oryem, has commended South Africa for being one of Uganda’s biggest sources of Foreign Direct Investments (FIDs).
Speaking at the close of the 2nd session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) between Uganda and South Africa on Monday at Serena Hotel, Okello Oryem cited MTN Uganda and Stanbic Bank among others, as investments in Uganda that are a result of good bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said many South African companies are significantly contributing to the social and economic transformation of the country. He encouraged the private sector to engage frequently and do business in both countries. He encouraged South Africans to come to Uganda and engage in value addition mainly in areas of agriculture and minerals where he said Uganda is endowed.
According to Okello Oryem, investment in both countries has potential to reap more benefits.
Oryem jokingly commented on Ankole cows which are reportedly being sold in South Africa at USD 600, 000 per head. “They (cows) originate from here,” Oryem said, looking at South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation – Dr. Naledi Pandor.
Data shows that in 2021, Uganda exported to South Africa goods and services worth US$ 194 million. According to Okello Oryem, “a lot can still be done to grow our exports to South Africa.”
He added: “I am told they are only 1, 400. We hope to export more with your permission.”
On her side, Dr. Pandor encouraged the use of cooperation to not only develop the country but the continent. “Implement what we commit to,” Dr. Pandor said, noting that “we need to do more to see that our common interests become national interests” so as to achieve Agenda 2063 (Africa we want).
“Use collaborations to advance the development of our countries and the continent. Our countries are endowed yet we continue to remain in poverty. So, there is something wrong with that equation,” Dr. Pandor said.
South Africa’s Ambassador to Uganda, Ndimiso Ntshinga noted that the main purpose of the JCC between Uganda and South Africa is to strengthen the existing excellent and cordial bilateral relations and deepen cooperation between both countries.
