Ugee

Norway to fund meat industry

THE Norwegian government has pledged to support the development of the meat industry in Uganda. Norway has already spent $550,000 (about sh965m) for a study on the meat industry in Uganda. “But this is to be based on commitment from the Government of Uganda and other donors. “Our support will be on grant basis and preferably focused on institutional cooperation components and programme coordination,” Bjorg Leite, the Norwegian envoy said. The ambassador explained that his government through the Norwegian Agency for Development funded the study “because we foresaw growth and quality improvement potential in Uganda’s meat industry.” She said the study report draws a complex and comprehensive programme to meet the challenges in developing the meat sector into an export-oriented industry. “We would underline that a key factor in the success in the implementation of such a complex project is cooperation between ministries involved and cooperating partners,” Leite said. She said the programme would link the key areas under discussion by the Government to alleviate poverty and create wealth. “It is in line with the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture and its important for the development of trade and diversification of Uganda’s exports,” she added. “Closely linked to this issue is value addition and the special need for Uganda as a landlocked country to add value to its products.” The envoy said the plan would boost institutional and industrial development and in job creation. Leite noted that the programme includes northern Uganda as an area for restocking and as a possible future source of quality beef. “This could be a very positive contribution to the post-conflict rehabilitation and recovery programme for the north,” she asserted.

 

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