Guangzhou consulate holds symposium to boost businesses

The Ugandan consulate in Guangzhou, China organized a one-day business law symposium at Kinbridge Law Firm offices, GT Land Plaza, Zhujiang New Town on March 14, 2023.

The symposium aimed to help especially the Ugandan diaspora businesspeople in China and Ugandans that wish to do business with China. Ambassador Judyth Nsababera, the consul-general of Uganda in Guangzhou, China, said the symposium was organized as a partnership with Kingbridge Law Firm.

She also acknowledged the support rendered by the leadership of the Uganda-China Union. Attended by Ugandans in Uganda through Zoom, the symposium also attracted business leaders from Kenya and Nigeria.

Nsababera said the symposium was held immediately China opened out after three years of Covid-19 restrictions; she noted that some laws changed because of the pandemic. So, it aimed to help businesspeople from Uganda and other African countries to fit in the new post-Covid situation in China. It also served to inform the African diaspora that are in China for study or work.

“This symposium is aimed at highlighting the entry and exit requirements of China and the role of the consulate as well as discussing the business environment and opportunities in China in view of the recent opening up of China,” she explained.

She said Kingbridge Law Firm, a 25-year-old firm with over 1,000 lawyers, has been supporting various African businesspeople in Guangzhou through its various outreach programmes.

The law firm has also offered to establish a public legal centre for Ugandans and later to extend to other Africans. The centre was launched during the symposium, and it will start with three legal consultations for people with issues.

While opening the symposium, the consul said it would help many people who ordered and paid money just before or during Covid days and their goods were not delivered or wrong ones were delivered, to find solutions.

She added that the growth and safety of Ugandan-owned businesses in China would lead to more remittances to Uganda. She also announced that Uganda Airlines would soon be flying to Guangzhou and urged Chinese and Ugandan to be supporting the Ugandan flag carrier.

The consulate has been organizing a series of forums for diaspora in China to motivate them exploit the business opportunities in China. The most recent one was the 2nd Diaspora Business Forum held in October 2022.

She further disclosed that the consulate had opened a portal to advance business and residential safety and urged Ugandans to utilise it.

“In order to facilitate mobilization of the diaspora for national development, the Consulate launched an online registration portal for Ugandans visiting or residing in China. This exercise is specifically intended to: facilitate communication between the Consulate and our nationals, to promote engagement with the Consulate and encourage participation in official, economic, cultural and social events in our area of accreditation, like investment conferences, business symposia, trade and tourism exhibitions and enable the Embassy/Consulate get in touch with Ugandan nationals and their families in case of an emergency.”