EAC can feed the world

The Executive Director, Uganda investment Authority (UIA), Dr Maggie Kigozi has said that the East African Community (EAC) has a potential to feed the rest of the world if all its agriculture resources are tapped.

Friday, June 27, 2008

The Executive Director, Uganda investment Authority (UIA), Dr Maggie Kigozi has said that the East African Community (EAC) has a potential to feed the rest of the world if all its agriculture resources are tapped.

Kigozi was unveiling the region’s investment opportunities in the agro business sector to investors attending the 1st East African Community Investment Conference at Serena Hotel, Kigali yesterday.

Citing BIDCO, Madhvani group of companies and Mukawano as some of the companies which have flourished in the agro business sector in East Africa, she called upon investors to exploit the available opportunities so as to be part of the fast growing East African business.

There are abundant investment opportunities in agro processing, bio fuel, bio diversity and Agro-tourism, delegates were told.

"In Agro- tourism we can attract more foreign exchange revenue from people who come to see our agriculture practices,” she said. 

Francis Gatare, the Director General, of Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency meanwhile called for more investment in the financial sector saying that it plays a vital role in business development.

He said that there are a lot of opportunities in the competitive agriculture loans housing sector loans and that the commercial banks needs more capacity.

"This will increase intra region trade and investment to the benefit of all,” Gatare said.      

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