Malaysian firms urged to seize opportunities in Uganda
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian construction fraternity needs to strongly consider and support bidding for and tapping into niche opportunities in the fastgrowing construction industry in Uganda.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming said the ministry would continue to encourage the private sector to venture into Africa, including Uganda, as it remained committed to the South-South Cooperation.
“Over the last 10 years, the rapid development in Malaysia has produced many construction industry players of international standards in terms of capabilities, experience and expertise.
“Last year alone, Malaysian construction companies won 23 projects worth RM1.94 billion in 13 countries, including Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Qatar, and Sri Lanka,” he said in his speech at the Uganda Eco Satellite City Business Forum yesterday.
Also present were Ugandan Minister of State for Urban Development Isaac Musumba, Ugandan High Commissioner to Malaysia Dorothy Samali Hyuha and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive officer Datuk Wan Latiff Wan Musa.
Ong said the services sector has been earmarked as the country’s next engine growth and expected to contribute 56.7 per cent to country’s gross domestic products, with its construction services highly regarded, especially in developing nations, particularly in mixed development of residential and commercial areas, roads and infrastructure and power plants.
He believed that many Malaysian developers would explore the opportunities in Uganda and used them as a launchpad for other projects in other parts of East Africa.
“With Uganda fast growing economy which grew not less than six per cent for the past 20 years and recent discovery of oil and gas, it is very much believed this would be the right time for Malaysian companies to invest and expose themselves to the market of 40 million population for a good return on their investment,” he added.
A feasibility study on Uganda’s Eco Satellite City was conducted by Malaysian Incorporated Services Bhd (Malaysian Inc) and supported by MATRADE’s Services Export Fund.
Malaysian Inc, a brainchild of the National Professional Services Export Council ( NAPSEC), whose secretariat is housed at MATRADE, aims to provide a platform for Malaysian service providers to tap into project overseas.
Malaysian Inc chairman Tan Sri Esa Mohamed said following the completion of the feasibility study, qualified Malaysian construction companies could now join the Malaysian Inc, which acted as a consortium, to participate in the project.
The project is one of the major developments initiated by the Ugandan government spanning 485.63 hectares of land near the capital city of Kampala, which was planned to be a mixed development consisting residential, commercial, government offices, malls, schools, hospitals and other amenities, he said.
“The project, which is expected to commence this year with gross development value of about US$20 billion, would be developed in a few phases that have yet to be determined.
“The Malaysian construction sector is set to benefit from the development as the priority would be given to Malaysian companies involved in consultancy services, project management, construction services, solid waste management, water supply, power plant and other related services, among others,” he said.
He said the first phase entailed preparing the infrastructure for 202.34 hectares of the land earmarked for which the Ugandan government has committed its investment.
He said the Uganda-Malaysia Inc is also exploring other African countries for opportunities and has been invited by Swaziland and Senegal and other countries that Malaysia has governmenttogovernment relationship. — Bernama