Background
Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) held the 3rd Annual Bankers Conference (ABC) 2019 under the theme: “De-risking financing & Investment in agriculture to promote decent youth employment and inclusive growth.”
The One-day conference was held on Tuesday 16th July 2019 at Kampala Serena Conference Center, Victoria Hall, Kampala, Uganda and comprised of a keynote address followed by a high-level panel discussion.
Area of focus
Agriculture was chosen for a number of reasons, one being the strategic importance of the sector to Uganda’s social and economic progress.
This year`s conference focused on financing for agriculture while leveraging on several perspectives for mitigating risk including market incentives, technology, insurance, research, specific policy frameworks, a wider support & collaborative framework to ensure sustainable growth & investment in the agriculture sector of Uganda.
Pledge to support the agricultural sector
In his speech, the Governor Bank of Uganda Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile noted that Bank of Uganda committed to work with Government and commercial banks to promote affordable agricultural finance through the Agricultural Credit Facility. He called upon eligible borrowers are to take advantage of the facility.
Hon. Matia Kasaija the Minister of Finance noted that Government of Uganda is alert to developing Agriculture from being just a means of providing food to a huge industry in the country. Agriculture is the industry to look at if we want to move this economy forward.”
Conclusion
Growth & transformation in the agricultural sector and its related value chains will promote financial inclusion as well as create decent youth employment in Uganda.