The NORAD study on Private Sector Development in Uganda carried out in 2002, outlined the following as the possible areas for the Uganda NIS programme:
Governance, as a key element in creating a conducive environment for investment and production. The focus would be on Commercial Justice and corporate governance.
Energy, specifically focusing on improving the energy situation with regard to rural districts. Institutional support for restructuring, infrastructure development and Energy for Rural transformation, in addition to the development of local contractors and suppliers.
Medium Scale Enterprises (MSE) and Entrepreneurship development, to enable the distribution of the economic benefits to a lager population will necessitate the development of this segment of the business community. The regulation of the micro finance sector, support to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) programme and the various initiatives in Business Development Services (BDS) development.
Trade and Export, in order to expand Uganda’s economy and to better employ its resources. With focus on export competitiveness, diversification and product development, as well as regional and international market development.
Contribution of PSD from Norwegian Enterprises, in this regard the focus was on identifying priority sectors in Uganda in which Norwegian enterprises have a comparative expertise and to then create linkages between Ugandan and Norwegian firms.
Norwegian Business Council
The Norwegian Business Council in Uganda was established in 2000. The council consistes of members of the local private sector having ties to Norway, such as Ugandan companies, Norwegian companies established in Uganda, as well as representatives from the Norwegian Embassy in Kampala.
The objective of the council is to contribute to Norway’s promotion of its private sector linkages with those of the host country, in this case Uganda. These activities are also considered as complementary to Norway’s support to the development of Uganda’s private sector. We believe that by increasing the trade and investment linkages between Norway and Uganda, the Ugandan businesses and the private sector as a whole benefit through various means. These includes, transfer of technology, increased direct investment capital, increase in employment, better utilisation of resources available, access to international markets as well as access to technical know-how.
Key activities undertaken so far have been through participation in the annual Uganda International Trade Fair and business meetings hosted by the Ambassador. The meetings hosted by the Ambassador have become a key networking fora especially for the incoming delegations from Norwegian business interests.
Norway is supporting the following projects in the Private Sector Develoment:
Key contacts for Private Sector Institutions and Organisations in Uganda