President Museveni has implored Uganda Investment Authority to ease the process of acquiring work permits by investors, saying that will improve the investment climate in the country.
Museveni remarked at the commissioning of Good Will Ceramics Company Limited, in Kapeeka.
“It is not right to make working permits so expensive, UIA must automatically resolve these matters for all factories instead of making investors beg and lobby.
Situated in the Liao Shen Industrial Park, the company was established in May last year with an investment capital of US $30million. It commenced production in April this year with an output capacity of 40,000 square meters of tiles per day and about 200 different tile designs.
The factory manufactures and supplies well coated tiles made from over 90 per cent locally sourced raw materials from all corners of Uganda to serve both local and neighboring countries’ markets. The enterprise has been able to create about 2,000 jobs for both skilled and non-skilled employees.
Museveni appreciated the Chinese people for the big contribution made in Ugandan industries adding that with the new ceramic industry, Uganda has been able to save US $35 million that would have been lost through using imported tiles.
Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Minister, Amelia Kyambadde lauded President Museveni for equipping the rural and urban youth with capital and equipment that has helped them get jobs. She commended Goodwill Ceramics Company for the good quality products that it is producing affordable price.
“I encourage Ugandans to buy their products. I have already bought these products. Ugandans must change their mindsets of thinking that local products are not good. We used to talk about commodity trade, now we talk about value addition” she said.
The Managing Director of Goodwill, Frank Yang applauded Museveni and the government of Uganda for clearly demonstrating support to investors by allowing them to grow development roots in the country.
He hailed Museveni for the peace and security that he has created which has been conducive for the ceramic company to be established. He also hailed the people of Kapeeka for their loyalty, professionalism and support and appreciated Gen. Salem Saleh, for having offered tremendous support during the early days of the company.
He assured Museveni that production of tiles from Uganda will contribute to industrialization, increased revenue and creation of jobs in Uganda.