The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise
(NHO) has concluded a 3 year long pilot project together with their Chinese and Ugandan counterparts, China Enterprise Confederation (CEC), and Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE). The pilot project was entitled “Doing Responsible Business in Uganda”, with the main objective of creating a network and meeting point for the three sister organisations.
The collaboration between Norway, Uganda, and China serves as an insightful example of how trilateral cooperation can be organised and implemented.
NHO, having long standing ties and friendships with both of the Chinese and Ugandan sister organisations, served as a natural link in bringing together CEC and FUE, and provided a platform for communication and exchange of information.
The project has helped Chinese companies operating in Uganda to evaluate the investment climate better, as well as promoting a thorough understanding of Ugandan labour law requirements. In addition, the project also encouraged Chinese companies to expand their management skills in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility and Occupational Health and Safety issues.
The success of the pilot project is now inspiring similar projects in the neighboring countries where FUE have close friendships with other national business confederations and can continue the building of bridges between Chinese and African counterparts. Projects are now being planned in Kenya and Tanzania with the hopes of replicating the accomplishments in Uganda.