Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Uganda And Republic of Korea Discuss 2024 Korea-Africa Summit

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Hon. John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/Regional Affairs, held a meeting with Korean Government Representative for the Korea-Africa Summit 2024, Mr.Jung Kihong at the Ministry of Foreign affairs. The meeting focused on the preparations for the upcoming summit, which will be held in Seoul, South Korea, in June 2024. The summit aims to strengthen the partnership between Korea and African Countries in various areas, including trade, investment, infrastructure, and development. Minister Mulimba, welcomed the Korean delegation and expressed Uganda’s commitment to the success of the summit. He highlighted the strong ties between Uganda and Korea, which have been fostered through cooperation in areas such as technology, agriculture, health, education, and trade.

Hon. Mulimba hailed the significant role the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit will play in bolstering relations not just with Africa but with Uganda. Mr. Kihong thanked Minister Mulimba, for Uganda’s support and outlined the key priorities for the summit which will be to establish partnerships for shared growth, focus on trade, investment and technology exchange. He emphasized the need for African and Korean leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue on mutual areas of interest and stated that the Summit will provide an important platform for delegates and business people to discuss the future of partnerships with Korea and explore new avenues of cooperation.

The meeting between Minister Mulimba and Mr. Kihong sets the stage for a successful 2024 Korea-Africa Summit. The two sides expressed their commitment to working together to achieve the summit’s objectives and strengthen the bond between Uganda and Korea. Mr. Kihong was accompanied by officials from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nigeria: African Development Bank signs $75 million loan agreement to boost Indorama’s fertilizer production and export capacity

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The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has signed a $75 million loan agreement with Nigeria’s Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited. The loan will enable Indorama to increase its fertilizer production and develop a port terminal for exports, supporting food production and food security across regional and international markets, while fostering job creation in Nigeria.

The expansion will include the development of a third urea fertilizer production line and a new shipping terminal at Indorama’s facilities in Port Harcourt. The new production line is expected to have an annual capacity of 1.4 million metric tons of urea, one of the most widely used fertilizers worldwide.

Indorama’s two operational urea fertilizer lines serve Nigeria’s domestic market, supporting the country’s agricultural sector, which accounts for a quarter of its GDP and employs about a third of its labor force. The new production line and terminal, which will help meet growing global demand for fertilizer, are expected to create up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria.

“The African Development Bank is proud of its continued partnership with Indorama, the IFC and other lenders on this critical project as it is aligned with our strategic  strategic priorities (https://apo-opa.co/3VAaLMQ) to Feed Africa (https://apo-opa.co/3VBF85N) and Industrialize Africa (https://apo-opa.co/3xcwgcH) while generating significant development outcomes in Nigeria” said Ousmane Fall, Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development Department at the African Development Bank.

Speaking on the development, Manish Mundra, Group Director for Africa, Indorama Corporation said, “The establishment of this fertilizer plant underscores Indorama’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s industrial growth, economic diversification, and leveraging its strategic geographic location. This landmark financing represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey towards becoming a major player in the global fertilizer market. With the addition of this third line, Nigeria is prepared to significantly ramp up its export capacity, thereby enhancing its position as a key exporter of fertilizers to Africa and the world. Furthermore, the establishment of this fertilizer plant will not only address critical issues such as broader food security but will also stimulate agricultural growth and create employment opportunities in Nigeria.”

The African Development Bank’s loan follows a strategy to support investment in private sector development to promote the growth of the real sector.

The $75 million senior loan is part of a $ 1.25 billion facility arranged by IFC. The financing package includes a $215.5 million loan from IFC’s own account, a $94.5 million loan through the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP), and $940 million in parallel loans mobilized from other development finance institutions and commercial banks, such as the African Development Bank, Bangkok Bank, British International Investment, Citibank, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), DZ Bank, Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), Rand Merchant Bank, Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO), Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank), Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), the Standard Bank Group, Standard Chartered Bank, and the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
Email: media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 37 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Netherlands and Uganda Commit to Strengthening Bilateral Relations

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The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda, H.E Karin Boven, met with the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr.Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala. The two principles’ discussion centered on enhancing cooperation in the areas of agriculture through supporting the farmers in Uganda, Energy sector in Kiryandongo, implementation of the memorandum of understanding (M.O.U) on Defense and Repatriation and capacity building on issues of Immigration. During the meeting, Ambassador Boven, reiterated the Netherlands’ commitment to strengthening ties with Uganda and underscored the importance of continued collaboration for the benefit of both countries.

She highlighted the potential for increased partnership in agriculture and in the Energy sector. In response, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bagiire expressed appreciation for the longstanding friendship between Uganda and the Netherlands and discussed his recent visit to the Netherlands and the on-going partnerships in the aforementioned areas. They concluded with a commitment from both sides to further strengthen the existing ties between the two Countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kenya – Strengthening Healthcare: World Health Organization (WHO) Donates 940 Tablets for Health Emergency Response

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The Ministry of Health has received a significant boost in its health emergency response capabilities with the donation of 940 mobile tablets valued at $ 376,132 from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

During the handover ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula, expressed appreciation to WHO Kenya Representative, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, for their support in advancing the digitalization agenda within the healthcare sector. 

She highlighted the ministry’s commitment to digitalizing health services to improve visibility, particularly in commodity and human resources management. 

Ms Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, reiterated the importance of backing the health digitalization agenda. She emphasized that the donation of 940 tablets symbolizes collaborative efforts essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 17 on partnerships. 

 Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, also present at the event, extended gratitude to WHO for their assistance in enhancing emergency preparedness efforts. 

The WHO country Representative Dr Diallo emphasized that the 940 tablets will go a long way to contribute to improve quality of immunization data and hence provide verifiable data. “These data elements include vaccination records and vaccine supply stock at vaccination points. Data is the cornerstone to inform decision making and hence the need for quality data,” he said.

The donation of these tablets marks a significant milestone in the ministry’s efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve emergency response capabilities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.