Uganda coffee in hot demand as exports climb to 30-year high
Demand for Ugandan coffee in Italy, where espresso lovers abound, has helped increase the East African nation’s exports of the beans to the highest in at least 30 years.
In August, Uganda overtook Vietnam to become the second-largest supplier of coffee to Italy for the first time this year, behind Brazil. Total shipments jumped 21% to 6.5 million 60-kilogram bags in the year through September - Uganda’s highest in three decades - about a third of that going to Italy.
Italy and Germany, which together produced more than 60% of the European Union’s roasted coffee last year, have diversified their sources for the beans. With Brazil and Vietnam having had trouble exporting amid shipping disruptions, European buyers increased uptake from growers including Uganda and India.
"Uganda has been a surprise over the past couple of years, it’s a successful case of production, expansion and promotion," said Carlos Mera, head of agricultural commodities markets analysis at Rabobank in London. Given supply chain problems in South America and southeast Asia, roasters have been buying a little more from elsewhere and have been more flexible in blending, according to Mera.
Orginal Article Link: https://www.news24.com/fin24/economy/uganda-coffee-in-hot-demand-as-exports-climb-to-30-year-high-20211020
Uganda to Construct 25 Industrial Parks Across the Country
25 Industrial parks are set to be constructed across Uganda. This follows a partnership agreement inked between Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) over the development.
The partnership agreement was signed between UIA’s Director General Robert Mukiza and the Managing Director of National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), Lt Gen James Mugira. NEC is the commercial arm of UPDF.
The project is under UIA’s strategic plan 2020-2025 themed “Accelerating Domestic and Foreign Direct Investment for Sustainable Industrial Industrialization” which targets creation of 400,000 jobs a year through industrial parks development. This is in line with Vision 2040 and the Third National Development Plan, which hinges on industrialization.
Reduce construction costs
The development involves construction of regionally located industrial parks and four science, technology and innovation parks (STIPs). UIA already operates eight industrial and business parks in Uganda including: Namanve, Bweyogerere, Luzira, Kasese, Mbarara, Jinja, Mbale, Soroti and Karamoja.
The new industrial parks are planned for Gulu, Arua, Lira, Hoima, Buliisa, Hoima, Kabarole, Nakasongola, Luwero-Nakaseke, Kabarole, Mubende, Mityana, Masaka, Kabale, Bushenyi, Tororo, Rakai and Iganga. The science, technology and innovation parks on the other hand will be set up in Pakwach, Kyankwanzi, Kamuli and Rubirizi.
Orginal Article Link: https://constructionreviewonline.com/news/uganda/uganda-to-construct-25-industrial-parks-across-the-country/