Senior Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Sanjay Tanna has held a strategic meeting with fellow ministers and officials from the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority (UFZEPA) to advance plans for the establishment of industrial free zones aimed at boosting trade, investment and employment.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Cooperatives Hon. Alero Tom Aza, Minister of State for Industry Hon. David Bahati, and Minister of State for Trade Hon. Wilson Mbadi.
The ministers met with officials from UFZEPA, the government agency mandated to regulate free zones and promote Uganda’s exports.
Discussions focused on strategic investment plans to establish industrial free zones in five designated locations across the country, including Afoji Border in Moyo District. The proposed free zones are expected to strengthen cross-border trade, promote regional integration and expand Uganda’s international trade opportunities.
Hon. Alero Tom Aza commended the UFZEPA team for the progress made so far and urged them to expedite the preparation and completion of the strategic and business plans required for implementation.
He said the establishment of the industrial free zones would create employment opportunities, stimulate industrial growth and enhance economic activity in the targeted urban centres and surrounding communities, particularly in Moyo District, which serves as a key cross-border trade hub.
The government says the initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and increase Uganda’s export competitiveness through the development of modern trade infrastructure.
