Uganda has deepened its diplomatic and economic cooperation with Latvia by signing a Bilateral Air Services Agreement that paves the way for future air connectivity, crucial for tourism and trade.
The agreement was signed by Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Jeje Odongo, and the Latvian Minister of Transport, Atis Svinka, during Odongo’s visit to the eastern European country, which took place from 11th to 12th May.
Odongo was the guest of honor at the 2nd Latvia and Countries in Africa Business Forum held under the theme “Advancing Resilience and Development through Digital Solutions.”
Thereafter, Uganda’s top diplomat held bilateral talks with his Latvian counterpart, Baiba Braze, which concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on political/diplomatic consultations.
“Additionally, the minister held talks with the Latvian Minister of Transport, H.E. Mr. Atis Svinka. The two ministers signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement,” Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.
Though the Foreign Affairs Ministry did not reveal the details, the Bilateral Air Services Agreement presents a strategic opportunity for Uganda to expand its aviation network in Europe.
Odongo was accompanied by a number of dignitaries, including Christopher Kasozi, manager of economic regulation at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.
The deal is expected to ease business travel, stimulate tourism, particularly from the Baltics, and attract eastern European investment.
The signing of the agreement comes just weeks after Uganda’s national carrier, Uganda Airlines, launched direct flights to London, UK.
Odongo also met with a team of Latvian documentary makers who recently returned from Uganda, where they filmed their hiking expedition to the Rwenzori Mountains.
Furthermore, the foreign minister and his delegation visited and held discussions with the Latvian State Forests company, who are currently in talks with the Ugandan government on the possible introduction of a forestry geospatial management digital platform.
The delegation also held discussions with the Latvian IT cluster, who made presentations on IT solutions that they can make available to Uganda for telecommunications, lighting, electricity grid management, and language localization.
Odongo’s visit to Latvia signals Uganda’s growing interest in leveraging partnerships with non-traditional allies to support its development agenda.