Uganda and the airport of Nis, located approximately 200 kilometers south of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, have inked a historic agreement to facilitate the handling of cargo from Uganda into the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The agreement, hailed as a significant milestone in expanding trade and economic ties between the two nations, is poised to boost regional commerce and enhance access to the European market.
The news was first announced by Odrek Rwabwogo, who tweeted, “Uganda signed with the airport of Nis, some 200 kilometers south of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, to handle cargo from Uganda into the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The airport, named after the third-century Roman emperor Constantine the Great, who was born in the region of Nis, receives 150 large-size cargo trucks daily with transit goods to Greece, Albania, Macedonia, and other Balkan nations of south Central Europe. The airport also handles large volumes of tourism passengers in the region during summer in Western Europe.”
This collaboration is seen as a strategic move to improve trade links between Uganda and the Balkan region, providing new opportunities for Ugandan businesses to tap into the European market. Nis Airport’s central location within the Balkans offers a convenient gateway for Ugandan goods to reach various European destinations.
The agreement was brokered by Mr. Bratislav Stojanović, the Uganda Trade Representative in the region, who has been working tirelessly to foster stronger trade relations between the two countries. Mr. Stojanović, known as @STOBratislav on social media, has played a pivotal role in facilitating this important trade partnership.
Uganda’s efforts to enhance trade and economic cooperation with Serbia and the wider Balkans region were further bolstered by the opening of a trade hub in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, in July of this year. The hub, inaugurated by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, has already demonstrated its potential to generate demand for visits to Uganda and stimulate orders for Ugandan products.
Commenting on the agreement, President Museveni said, “This deal marks a significant step forward in our quest to expand trade and create new economic opportunities for Uganda. Our partnership with Nis Airport is a testament to our commitment to strengthening ties with the Balkans and Eastern Europe. I am confident that this collaboration will yield positive results and benefit both nations.”
The cargo agreement is expected to have a far-reaching impact on trade and commerce in the region. With the ability to efficiently move Ugandan goods to various Balkan nations and Eastern Europe, this partnership opens up avenues for increased export opportunities and economic growth. Additionally, it is anticipated that the agreement will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, technology, and expertise between Uganda and Serbia, further deepening the bilateral relations.
As Uganda expands its trade footprint, partnerships like these pave the way for greater global integration and provide a platform for the exchange of goods, services, and culture between nations. The alliance between Uganda and Nis Airport is poised to serve as a model for enhancing trade and economic cooperation between African nations and their international partners.
In the coming months, stakeholders will be keenly observing the implementation of this groundbreaking agreement and its positive impact on the economies of both Uganda and the Balkans, forging a stronger bond between these two regions separated by thousands of kilometers but now joined by a shared vision of prosperity through trade.
