On the afternoon of February 26, 2022 local time, Wagagai Mining (U) Limited ushered in the opening ceremony of the Year of the Tiger - the awarding of the Free Zone.

More than 200 people, including the Chairman, Vice-chairman, Executive Director, Investment Director, Mayor of Busia, religious leaders and government officials of Uganda Free Zone Authority; the general manager of the Hongda Enterprise Group, leaders and employees of Wagagai company, attended the awarding ceremony. The ceremony included six contents: playing and singing the national anthems of Uganda and China, religious prayers, leaders' speeches, issuing licenses, signing souvenirs and visiting the construction of gold mines.

Tan Jiuchang, general manager of Hongda Enterprise Group, pointed out in his speech that the grand awarding ceremony of the free zone is a major event in the construction and development of Wagagai Mining (U) Limited, which reflects the strong support of the Uganda government for foreign-funded enterprises and the confidence and expectation of the Free Zone Authority and leaders for our company's development of Busia gold mine. General manager Tan promises that Wagagai will strictly abide by all laws and regulations applicable to free zone licensing and strive to become a global model of free zone. General manager Tan said: Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group has the responsibility, obligation, ability and confidence to practice the spirit of China-Africa friendly cooperation. In the future, it will continue to increase investment in Uganda, mainly supported by the development of mining industry, and simultaneously invest in real estate, medical treatment, logistics and other industries, so as to make positive contributions to promoting the common economic development of China and Africa and benefiting the people of the two countries.

Speech by the Executive Director of the Free Zone Authority

Speech by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Free Zone Authority

After the leaders' speech, Mr. Peter, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Free Zone Authority, was entrusted by the Minister of Finance of Uganda to grant the free zone license to Wagagai company, marking that the company has qualified for free trade in its business scope and has become Uganda's first "whole industry chain" mining company with free zone.

After the awarding ceremony, the leading guests visited the gold mine and took photos with local employees.