Public-Private Sector Dialogue in Uganda???s Reform Process

The note describes Uganda's impressive track record as a fast reformer, which has been well documented and widely acclaimed. The country recorded robust economic growth averaging 6.8 percent in the period 1990-2003, thanks to political stability, and prudent macro economic reforms that have imposed fiscal discipline, restructured public expenditure, and liberalized the economy. The reforms were implemented following a period of civil conflict (the 1970s and early 1980s) that saw Uganda's economy spiral out of control. Today, Uganda has one of the better investment climates, and the most liberal trade regime in the region. Much still remains to be done, but there is a commitment to lowering investment risks, and reducing the costs of doing business, by implementing efficiency-enhancing reforms, strengthening key institutions, and providing better physical infrastructure. The note further reviews public-private partnerships, private sector consultation, and other parallel, but no less important, initiatives which have positively, impacted the quality of Uganda's public private dialogue.