Uganda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a deal to establish one of the world’s only agricultural free zones in a bid to enhance food security in the Emirates.

The agriculture, fisheries and animal industry minister, Vincent Sempijja said, the 2,500 hectare free zone will allow private companies from the UAE to invest in agricultural production and development in Uganda.

The UAE’s minister for food security, Mariam Al Mehairi  said, it will also act as a launch pad for further investment into East and central Africa. “There is a lot of potential to be unlocked in that area,” she said.

It is expected to promote agribusiness between the two countries and will see Ugandan exports of crops and beef rise.

Uganda could also feed its population, bolster agricultural production and begin to export with agribusiness investment, bringing jobs and wealth.

Uganda imports from UAE was $659.72 million during 2017, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. UAE ranks 3rd after China and India in countries making a killing from Uganda in exports.

Food security, the accessibility of safe and nutritious food for all is an area of critical importance for the UAE, where land is largely arid and water is scarce.

Food security has topped agendas all over the world as temperatures rise, but it is perhaps most pressing in Africa, where hunger is widespread and conflict and political instability deter investors.

With the continent’s population expected to grow by 1.3 billion by 2050, farming yields will need to increase. Sempijja led a delegation that include entrepreneurs to showcase agricultural sector opportunities for investment by Chinese companies in the sub-sectors of crop, animal and fisheries resources as well as research and export of agricultural products to China.

The Trade Fair will feature a ‘Uganda Day’ which will focus on Uganda’s agricultural trade and investment relations with the Chinese.