Official Launch of the Assocation of Uganda Oil and Gas Services Providers - 2017

IN ATTENDANCE OF UGOS LAUNCHING AS GUEST OF HONOR WAS UGANDA'S VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD SEKANDI, AND AS GOVERNMENT MINISTER IN CHARGE WAS MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AMELIA KYEMBADE.

Speech by Minister for trade and Industry

The Oil and Gas sector in Uganda has caused a stir among the population
A lot of apprehension has arisen especially about the involvement of

What are people’s expectations?
—People’s expectations exist in two distinctive forms:

    —Positive
    —Negative

How do we balance the Expectations?

    Consultations with the public & all stakeholders
    Capacity building
    Employment opportunities in all sectors
    Create awareness among the population
    Enhance local content as far service provision is concerned
    Massive training of youth and other members of society.
    Transparency about the industry

Energy Perspective – Role of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Corperatives

Mission: “To develop and promote a competitive and export led private sector through accelerating industrial development for economic growth”
Oil and Gas is an industry

    All the major petroleum products are currently imported, thereby, exposing the country’s economy to fluctuating and exorbitant prices
    Establish strategies on how local SMEs could penetrate the oil and gas industry and promote local content
    SME involvement can be at different levels from hospitality and catering services to transport services among others.
    Formulate policies on industrialization on the mid-stream and up-stream phases of the industry
    Formation of Cooperatives/ Association
    Creation of a multi-sectoral approach between government agencies and private sector.

Association of Uganda Oil and Gas Service Providers

I highly commend your initiative of forming this Association.
This is the first step towards penetrating the oil and Gas industry.
It will be a force towards achieving the following;

    Lobbying & advocating for Infrastructural development (Refinery, roads, pipelines, energy etc)
    Joint capacity building for local skills development
    Creating a strong negotiating base
    Enhancing the strength of local SMEs
    Creation of a stronger financial base Advocating for the creation of a multi-Sectoral approach between government agencies and the private sector.
    Creation of economies of scale in acquisition/ procurement of capital intensive machinery
    Establishing a local supplier environment that will benefit all Ugandans
    Eases access to seed capital for local entrepreneurs
    Increase awareness to ensure that indigenous operators are aware of the opportunities in the sector and their rights.
    Formation of a collaborative action among stakeholders

Conclusion

I would like to congratulate Ugandans for having formed the Association of Uganda Oil and Gas service providers.

The formation of the Association of Uganda Oil and Gas Service providers will indeed demystify the myth that this industry is only for foreign investors
The benefits outlined above will promote the local content that had lagged behind in this sector.

A multi-sectoral approach between government agencies and the private sector, is the only panacea to our social and economic evils.

I salute you over this achievement

A famous Chinese philosopher once stated, “ A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”

Your journey has began!