China to strengthen industrial cooperation with Uganda: FM

KAMPALA - Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday that China will strengthen its cooperation with Uganda in industry sector.

"We stand ready to support the development of infrastructure, the construction and operation of industrial parks in Uganda. It is China's hope that Uganda will take the lead among African countries to realize industrialization," Wang said while meeting with his Ugandan counterpart Sam Kutesa.

Wang said there is need to work together to implement the pledges made by China during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held late last year in Johannesburg.

China pledged over $60 billion aimed at fast tracking the continent's development. The money will, among others, fund infrastructural development and construction of industrial parks.

China will roll out industrial cooperation programs in line with Uganda's development, share its experiences on industrial park construction, and encourage more Chinese enterprises to participate in the country's infrastructural development, Wang added.

Kutesa thanked China's support for Uganda and Africa's development. He said Uganda hopes to accelerate its industrialization process, and deepen cooperation with China in infrastructure, energy and manufacturing sector.

Uganda would build more industrial parks, and create conducive policy and business environment to attract more Chinese investors, he said.

Figures from the Chinese embassy in Uganda show that China's accumulated investment in Uganda totaled to $4 billion. Signed agreements are worth over $2 billion.

Kutesa said China has been influential in financing critical transport and energy infrastructure projects aimed at fast tracking the country's economic development.