Nabbanja rallies Ugandans as EAC trade fair kicks off

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has urged Ugandans to tap the benefits accruing from the 22nd East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair, popularly known as the Jua Kali Nguvu Kazi Exhibition, that is taking place at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.

The exhibition, which started on Thursday, December 8, and will run up to December 18, 2022, has attracted thousands of businessmen and women from across the East African region.

While officially opening the event on Sunday, 11 December 2022, Nabbanja asked Ugandans to turn up in large numbers to buy products on sale, build networks and support the event for mutual benefit.

“The representatives from all the seven partner states are here. Come and buy to support the business community,” Nabbanja said.

She added that the Uganda Government has put in place many policies, and laws to ease doing business.

The event was attended by ministers from Burundi, Tanzania and high-level delegates from South Sudan, DRC, Rwanda and Kenya.

The exhibition is being held under the theme: “Buy East African to Build East Africa For Resilience & Sustainable Development.”

Eng. Steven D.M. Mlote, Deputy Secretary General of East African Community in charge of Planning, Infrastructure, Finance and Administration, said the main objective of the trade fair is to contribute toward the realization of the region’s development goals and aspirations by lending support to this budding sector of the economy.

He also talked about the benefits of the Trade Fair.

“The annual EAC MSMEs Trade Fair has enhanced technology transfer among exhibitors; promoted women’s empowerment, enhanced market access, value addition, job creation, cross-border trade for MSMEs, and; expanded businesses and partnerships,” he said.

The first EAC MSMEs Trade Fair was held in Arusha, Tanzania in November 1999 during the historic event of the signing of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC, said the statement.