Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed Ugandan-born Peer Lord Dolar Popat as the new Trade Envoy to Uganda. Lord Popat will become the UK's first Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Uganda and Rwanda, as part of efforts in London to increase bilateral ties between the UK and key economies. In his new role, Lord Popat will oversee the UK Government's trade efforts with the two emerging economies.
The new Prime Ministerial Trade Envoys were announced last week to coincide with Cameron's visit to the economic summit in Davos. They are part of a new whole-of-government strategy to increase bilateral trade and investment with certain key markets.
As well as Lord Popat's appointment to Uganda and Rwanda, other parliamentarians have been appointed as Trade Envoys to Canada, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Ghana. Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont has been appointed as Trade Envoy to Iran, following the recent lifting of economic sanctions.
Speaking about his appointment, Lord Popat said "it is a tremendous honour to be serving the country and the Prime Minister in this new and challenging role. I want to do all I can to help British firms, particularly our SMEs, to find new markets for their goods and services.
"Africa's has huge economic potential but too many of our politicians and business-leaders still see Africa through the prism of aid and conflict. We need to wake up to the huge advances that have been made, economically and politically, across the continent. A huge part of my role will be rebranding the opportunities available and showing they are sound investments.
"Whenever I've had the pleasure of visiting Africa I hear about the desire for more British goods, and I look forward to using my Swahili and business experience to deliver, both for Uganda and Rwanda and for Britain."
Lord Popat has spoken regularly in the House of Lords about Africa – and particularly Uganda's – economic potential. In 2012 he visited Uganda as part of the IPU Assembly in Kampala and met with President Museveni. He has regularly met with delegations of African parliamentarians and Ministers when they visit London, including a recent delegation from Kenya.
He begins his work in the new role immediately and is expected to visit Uganda shortly.
