Objectives
The Retreat was guided by the following objectives
1. Promote the mandate of CEOs in policy formulation and implementation through the private sector participation.
2. To scout opportunities from the private sector platform thus complement government agenda towards promoting good business environment.
3. To understand how the goals of NDPIII and vision 2040 can stimulate social economic transformation.
4. To recommend accountable solutions to be addressed by government through streamlined structures.
5. Discuss constructively on delayed Bills that affect the cost of doing business.
6. Adaption of PCF presentations on all major government platform to enhance service delivery.
In his opening remarks, he informed the CEOs at NALI that government is to deal with the cost of transport and see it coming down. And the cost of money incurred by manufactures, medical facilities, institutions. HE said he is going to start with working on issues of cutting power and transport expenses, building social infrastructure, schools and roads. This will greatly help with aiding economic growth since they are the key aspects affecting Uganda as whole. The cost of manufacturing should also be reduced to enable Ugandans afford manufacturing their products and ably export their products.
1. Formalize the CEOs’ Retreat as a half-year event (Bi-Annual).
2. PCF Board nominates a key Private Sector Champion as ‘Presidential Advisor’ on Economic Affairs.
3. PCF should gain Membership on the ICAMEK and ADR as main Centre for Commercial Disputes.
4. Develop a paper for Private Sector to belong to strong Associations/Sectors.
5. Institutionalize Quarterly Meetings between PCF Board and Rt.Hon.PM to track progress.
6. PCF to consider Nurturing and Growth of CEOs and deliberately provide avenues for Apprenticeships to improve Skills of Ugandan Workforce.
7. Bi-Annual Interface between CEOs with H.E the President
8. Enhance Collaboration through PPP-Dialogues-PCF Board to nominate key Private Sector Delegates to Overseas’ engagements.
From different remarks and presentations, the following resolutions were made.
1. Uganda establishes an Export Insurance Credit Guarantee Fund: This Fund is meant to manage risks related to insecurity and perceived insecurity that deter the Private Sector from exporting to high-risk new Markets such as DRC, South Sudan, among others.
2. Uganda invests in Transport Infrastructure Development; (a). Road infrastructure: Construct Toll Road Networks into the DRC to reduce the Cost of Doing Business and increase timely market access, (b). Air Cargo Services: Uganda Airlines and Uganda Air Cargo to invest in buying Planes for Trade Facilitation, (c). Railway: Build the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to transport Goods and services at reduced costs, (d). Water: Build Bridges and invest in bigger Water Vessels along River Congo Basin.
3. Uganda invests in Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Infrastructure Development; (a). Telecommunication infrastructure: Investment in Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) so as to extend Services to the New Markets of DRC, South Sudan, among others, (b). Enhance capacity of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC): Invest in broadcasting infrastructure such as masts so as the serve the underserved new Market areas, among others.
4. UMEME reduces Electricity Tariffs. In order to enhance Value Addition and processing for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), there is need to reduce on the cost of electricity (cheap power is a requisite to growth).
5. Priority should be on building capacity through Government Programs such as; Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and the Parish Development Model (PDM) in order to increase aggregate demand and domestic consumption.
6. Reforms should be made in Government owned Banks; Post Bank, Housing Finance, Pride Micro Finance, so that they can support businesses operating in the new Markets within the region as the Commercial Bank of Kenya.
7. There is need to protect locally produced goods against subsidized Imports. Work with Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) and other Trading Groups to focus on promoting, selling and distributing Ugandan Products across African Markets and beyond.
8. There is need for capacity building for Local Content in the Oil and Gas Subsector. Government will support intending players in the Oil and Gas Subsector through funding to build Capacity as well as encourage Joint Ventures to tap into foreign Expertise and close any Technical Gaps.
9. Government remains committed and ensures that there is Cheap Financing for Private Sector Development (PSD) to the Business Community. The Government is to put more money in Uganda Development Bank (UDB), reduce the Cost of finance and ensure that the Private Sector can easily access available credit.
10. Government reviews possibilities for eliminating Withholding Tax on Private capital funds (equity & debt) and reduction of the capital gains tax from the present 30%, for instance Kenya’s Capital Gains Tax stands at only 5%.
1. Establish Export Insurance Credit Guarantee Fund.
2. Invest in Transport and ICT Infrastructure (Build Toll Roads, Air Cargo, UTL and UBC).
3. Reduce Electricity Tariffs so as the Business Community accesses Cheap Power for their operations.
4. Capacity Building for Internal Markets.
5. Build Capacity of Government owned Banks to support businesses in the new Markets such as DRC.
6. Promote and protect Locally produced products against cheaper subsidized imports.
7. Capacity Building for Local Content in the Oil and Gas Subsector and ensuring linkages with other Sectors.
8. Cheap financing for Private Sector.
9. Review Taxation framework on Private Equity Funds.
10. Tax Imports so as to encourage Import substitution and Export promotion