Egyptians eye Uganda drugs sector

A delegation of five was in Kampala last week, led by Ambassador Raafat Mohamed Sakr, Chairman Raafat Sakr Group and accompanied by Uganda’s Ambassador to Egypt, Richard Laus Angualia, who is also the Honorary Consul designate of Alexandria.

They met with Uganda Investment Authority Executive Director Eng. Dr. Frank Ssebbowa.

“Our target is to manufacture drugs to supply the regional market from Uganda,” Sakr said.

According to a feasibility study, Sakr Group has carried out regarding the viability of a pharmaceutical plant, they will be able to produce affordable medications considering the market prices.

However, they have a concern of exploring Uganda’s cost of doing business and incentive regime to establish concretely the viability of their investment plan.

The delegation also included Eng. Mohamed Abdon, Chairman of Kempetro, a Chemical Industries firm with expertise in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Raafat Sakr Group, a prominent business giant in Egypt is also exploring for opportunities in Uganda’s tourism, agriculture, construction, and real estate development, transport /works, shipping chemical industry.

Ambassador Sakr, said the Group was keen to establish a state of the art pharmaceutical production facility rated ‘A’ internationally to produce varied human medications.