File photo Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (3rd, L) visits a factory in the Tian Tang Industrial Park in Mukono, Uganda, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua)

MUKONO, Uganda, April 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-built industrial park in central Uganda has employed thousands of young people and created even more indirect jobs opportunities through its supply chains.

In a recent visit to the Tian Tang Industrial Park, Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said China is an old friend of Africa.

He said China supports Africa in critical areas that will fast track the continent's economic development.

He noted that the Chinese industrial parks established in Uganda will create jobs for the youths and also contribute to the economic development of the country.

Crispus Kiyonga, Uganda's ambassador to China, said the government is exploring opportunities presented by Chinese government's move of encouraging Provinces to go out and invest in Africa.

Zhao Xiufen, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese embassy, noted that Uganda ranks third in Africa as a destination of Chinese foreign direct investment. She said there are several Chinese industrial parks that have been established in Uganda.

Paul Zhang, Chairman of Tian Tang Group, said over 2,000 youths are employed at the industrial park that hosts four factories that deal in steel, foam and wood. About 10,000 other people are employed through the supply chain of the factories.

Some of the products are exported to neighboring Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and South Sudan.

Experts advised Uganda to focus on the new wave of industrialization that is seeing factories move from China to Africa.