Ugandans tipped on business opportunities in South East Asia
Bigombe says there are vast development opportunities in the countries of South East Asia.
Asian tour operators having a photo moment with members of Bigodi women group who deal in knitting different crafts at the outskirts of Kibale National Park. (Photos by Julius Luwemba)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
Ambassador Betty Bigombe has intensified a campaign of linking Ugandans to the opportunities in South East Asia, especially in the fields of education and business development.
Bigombe's diplomatic mandate covers different countries including: Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam .
Leading a group of tour operators and journalists from the Asian countries around different tourism sites across Uganda, Bigombe says there are vast development opportunities in the countries of South East Asia.
"I have realised there is a lot of consular work going on during bilateral relationships but then, what about the economy of the country. How do our consulates and embassies give back to the country which is paying rent for our offices and houses abroad," Bigombe expressed.
Asian nationals mesmerised by the fresh mangoes sold by the roadside in Kasese municipality.
Starting with tourism promotion and development, the veteran politician noted that tourism is among low-hanging fruits that can easily be tapped into to build Uganda's economy.
The seasoned made her observation during initial remarks to leading the Asian group of prominent tour operators and journalists from Asia who are in Uganda for a 14 day trip to several tourism sites in the West and South-Western Uganda.
According to Bigombe, the trip is aimed at popularising Uganda's tourism endowments to the viable market in South East Asia.
The team from South Asia "must visit", list includes : Kibale, Lake Mburo, Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth national parks.
While receiving the same group at Entebbe airport earlier this week, Moses Kasujja, the minister counselor and deputy High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia said, after the tour, the Asian tour operators and journalists will have a back-to-back engagement with members of the private sector in Uganda for several business opportunities.
"We also need to debunk a culture of thinking money or opportunities are only found in Europe and North America. Actually, Asia is where the money currently is," Bigombe remarked.
Ambassador Betty Bigombe with guides during the tracking of Chimpanzees in Kibale national park.
Lilly Ajarova, the UTB chief executive officer noted that the visit comes at a time when the government of Uganda has embarked on a deliberate plan to capitalise on its foreign Missions and embassies to market the country as a preferred tourism destination.
"According to the new tourism development programme, sh2.3b was allocated to Missions abroad for tourism promotion activities in the financial year 2024/25 and there are efforts to increase this funding further in the National development plan IV," noted Ajarova.
Tourism remains a cornerstone of Uganda's economy and continues to be on a positive trend, according to the ministry's permanent secretary Doreen Katusiime.
Available data indicates that in the year 2023, tourism contributed 5.5% of Uganda's GDP and directly supported 610,806 jobs representing 5.7% of the country's total employment.