At least 2,000 exhibitors are expected to grace the ongoing 25th East African Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Trade Fair that is currently ongoing at Uhuru Gardens, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Briefing the Ugandan media on Tuesday in Kampala, Mr Ojara Leo Kizito Ocaya, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs in the Ministry of East African Affairs, said the border points are free for participants who will go through Uganda to Kenya.
The trade fair, which started on November 7, will run until November 16.
‘We have an understanding with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and all the exhibitors will have a free passage at all border points. They will only have to pay for accommodation and their welfare. This will allow the focus on innovation in their businesses and keep some money in their pockets,’ he said.
Kenya’s President William Ruto while officially opening the Trade Fair on Tuesday, described the event as the cornerstone for the region’s economic integration.
Exhibitors from across the East African Community (EAC) partner states are expected to participate in the 10-day event, which aims to market regional MSME products, share new technologies, facilitate networking, promote knowledge exchange through symposia, and foster cultural exchange.
Stalls overflow with handmade crafts, organic honey, textile innovations, and technology-driven agricultural innovations.
Mr Ocaya said Uganda will capitalise on products that have already gained regional traction.
‘We are proud of our coffee, but all these countries have coffee. We have a particular market, especially on back cloth and kanzu, because some exhibitors have an interest in their uniqueness and differences. Not every country has them,’ he said.
This year, the fair will be celebrated under the theme: ’25 years of EAC Integration: Advancing Innovation and Regional Value chains for Competitive towards Sustainable Development.’
The permanent secretary for East African affairs, Ms Edith Mwanje, said: ‘The Trade Fair creates a platform for SMEs in the region to network, peer review and exchange as well as receive knowledge from trade facilitating actors through symposia.’
‘The Trade Fair is mainly targeting sectors in leather and leather products, agro processed products, agro processing machinery, metal fabricators, basketry, textiles, wood and wood products, herbal and medicinal products, as well as handicrafts,’ she added.
Last year’s Trade Fair was hosted in Juba, South Sudan, drawing over 1000 exhibitors and saw skyrocketing demand for Ugandan Kanzu, bark-cloth products, handicrafts, and furniture, according to the ministry.