HANGZHOU, CHINA
The Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Beijing convened the “Pearl of Africa: Uganda–Hangzhou Tourism and Investment Conference” at the WTC Narada Hotel in Hangzhou, bringing together government representatives, private sector actors, investors, tourism operators, and development stakeholders to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation between Uganda and the City of Hangzhou. The engagement reflected the growing importance of sub-national diplomacy in advancing the broader Uganda–China partnership, particularly in the areas of tourism development, investment promotion, hospitality, innovation, and digital transformation.
The conference was officially opened by H.E. Ambassador Oliver Wonekha, Head of Mission at the Uganda Embassy in Beijing, alongside Mr. Lu Jun, Deputy District Chief of the Xihu District People’s Government. In her remarks, Ambassador Wonekha reiterated Uganda’s commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships that support sustainable tourism growth, economic diversification, and investment-led development. She noted that Hangzhou’s position as a leading centre for tourism, innovation, and digital enterprise presents valuable opportunities for collaboration aligned with Uganda’s national development priorities.
Deliberations focused on leveraging Hangzhou’s comparative advantages in smart tourism, hospitality management, digital technologies, and investment financing to complement Uganda’s expanding tourism sector and broader economic transformation agenda. Both sides underscored the importance of deepening people-to-people connections, commercial linkages, cultural exchanges, and innovation partnerships as key pillars of bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Richard Kabonero, Head of the Regional Economic Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a presentation highlighting Uganda’s investment opportunities across strategic sectors, including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, mineral development, renewable energy, infrastructure, and information and communications technology. He emphasized Uganda’s strategic geographic location within East Africa, its youthful population, improving investment climate, and preferential access to regional and international markets.
He further outlined government measures aimed at facilitating investment through policy reforms, investment incentives, and public-private partnership frameworks. These interventions, he noted, are designed to create a conducive environment for enterprises from Hangzhou and across China seeking long-term, sustainable investment opportunities in Uganda.
The conference culminated in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding between Ugandan and Hangzhou-based entities, signaling tangible progress in tourism promotion, hospitality development, technology cooperation, and business partnerships. The agreements are expected to strengthen institutional linkages, enhance tourism flows, support infrastructure development, and further expand economic cooperation between Uganda and China. The Uganda Embassy in Beijing expressed confidence that the engagement will contribute to deepening bilateral relations and advancing shared prosperity through mutually beneficial partnerships.
Photo Credit: Uganda Embassy, Beijing
