OREANDA-NEWS. May 07, 2013. Chinese firms employ 33,000 Ugandans over a period of the last 19 years, the Chinese ambassador, Zhao Yali, has revealed. This is according to the statistics of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) since 1993 to 2012.

Yali explained that due to cordial relations between Uganda and China, the latter has several investments in the country which has created jobs for the citizens of Uganda. “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has always supported Uganda for its national building and industrialization process and provides assistance to the best of its ability with no political strings attached,” Yali told the media practitioners. He was speaking during the media reception held at his residence in Kololo, Kampala.

The ambassador said the two countries have maintained good relations over the past 50 years with fruitful cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, communication, agriculture, technology and culture. He said the amount of bilateral trade in 2012 reached USD 538 million representing a 34.6 % compared to 2011. The ambassador said that some of the major projects China has undertaken in the country include the exploration of oil by China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC), construction of Kampala-Entebbe Expressway costing USD 350 million and the purchase of road equipment worth USD 100m to support infrastructure development in over 1400 municipalities.

He pledged that China will continue expanding its investment and financial cooperation to Africa to the tune of USD 20 billion. He urged Government to work together with the Chinese government to realize the dream for the people of the two countries. “China - Uganda friendship and all-round practical co-operation of two countries will achieve new heights. Let us work together to seize upon historical opportunities to realize the Chinese dream and Uganda dream,” he said.