Rajkot: African nation Uganda is seriously looking at Gujarat to seek technical know-how and manufacturing equipment.
The country, which is mostly dependent on agriculture export, now wants to manufacture goods it needs to save the import cost.
Uganda High Commission in India shot a letter to Saurashtra Vepar Udhog Mahamandal (SVUM) informing that a delegation of businessmen and politicians want to visit small-scale manufacturing units in Rajkot and they are planning a visit in July or August.
The letter stated the object of the visit is to “learn from their (Rajkot’s manufacturer’s) expertise, establish co operation, and contact with the aim to channel growth and development of the same sector in Uganda.” The delegation has evinced interest in purchasing machinery for nearly 20 products and has is also looking for training for their people.
They are looking at machinery for the products like ice cream, tissue paper, bakery, grain, maze and beans processing, farming and irrigation, pharmaceuticals etc.
Rajkot is the hub of engineering and produces several machines.
SUVM president Parag Tejura said “African countries are basically in agriculture and mining.
For the finished products, they are dependent on impots.
China is providing them with finished products at a cheaper rate where we can’t compete, so for the last two- three years, I have been convincing them to buy machinery and parts from us and manufacure in their own country.” Uganda imports pharmaceutical products, machinery, and vehicles, electrical equipment, some chemical products, sugar and confectionery, plastic etc from India.