By Christopher Nyeko
KAMPALA: The Republic of Uganda this year hosted the 22nd edition of the annual East African Community Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition.
It was held under the theme “Buy East African to Build East Africa for Resilience and Sustainable Development,”
The trade show attracted more than 1,500 artisans from all the seven East Africa Community Partner States.
The exhibition commenced on the 8th December 2022 and ended on 18th December 2022 at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, Uganda.
The main objective of the trade fair was to contribute towards the realization of the region’s development goals and aspirations by lending support to this budding sector of the economy, which needs public patronage and Government support in order to be sustainable.
The exhibition created considerable impact on the image of the sector, which is today seen as the panacea to the daunting question of unemployment and poverty alleviation in the region.
The 1st East African Community Macro Small and Medium Enterprises (EACMSMEs) Trade Fair was held in Arusha, Tanzania in November 1999 during the historic event of signing of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.
Subsequent to the success of the Arusha exhibition, the EAC Heads of State directed that the Exhibition be held annually on rotational basis among the Partner States so as to enhance and revamp the socio-economic integration of the people of East Africa.
To participate in the exhibition, exhibitors from the EAC Partner States are required to register with their respective chapters of the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organizations (CMSEO).
The 21st edition of the MSMEs Trade Fair was successfully held in Mwanza, Tanzania in December 2021 where more than 1,000 exhibitors participated.
The exhibitions have benefited small traders in building capacity on value addition, cross border trade, the EAC Simplified Trade Regime among others through the daily symposium.
Knowledge sharing, technological transfer, building new partnerships and markets are among other benefits of the exhibition.
Over the years, the country has experienced more traders formalizing their businesses, adding value to their goods, expanding and capturing new markets.
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization of seven Partner States, comprising the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
During the 10-day event, the exhibitors showcased their various arts, craft, talent, agro product, agro machineries and, mark was awarded to the best exhibitors.
