The state minister for investment and export promotion, Vincent Karega, is optimistic of the many opportunities from the recent East African Investment Conference (EAIC).

"If efforts to harmonise the regional business climate continue, the EAC will become an economic jewel,” said the minister.

"The spirit of the conference was truly investment oriented. Investors in the region and afar shared a lot of investment experiences through one-on-one meetings that are beneficial to the bloc,” said Karega.

The 3-day conference in Kigali was to showcase the available trade and investment opportunities, to map out strategies of positioning the bloc as a world investment destination and to market the region as one entity.

"With such an approach, regional investments are expected to boom at once,” said Karega during an interview with Sunday Times on Thursday.

The minister further revealed that Rwanda, having hosted the conference, stands the best chance of attracting investment.

"Likewise, Rwandan investors should consider investing in other EAC member states.”

During the conference, the executive director of Uganda Investment Authority, Dr Maggie Kigozi, said the EAIC had achieved 75 per cent of its objectives.

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