The 22nd East African Community, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) trade exhibition, formerly known as the EAC JuaKali/ Nguvu Kazi, is set to take place this December at the Kololo independence grounds in Kampala, Uganda from tomorrow 8 to 18.
The EAC themed “Buy East African to Build East Africa for Resilience and Sustainable Development” is expected to bring together approximately 1500 MSMEs from the seven partner countries in order to open up new market frontiers for their products while bridging knowledge and technology gaps and boost regional integration.
Addressing the congregation during the commissioning of the national organizing committee for the trade fair, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Simon Chelugui emphasized that the annual event is essential to the Government’s long-term plan to increase Kenya’s exports to the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is now functioning as well as the East African Community (AfCFTA).
“Kenya stands to gain from EAC’s expanded market size (300 million people) and GDP (approximately US$250 billion) as a result of the recent entry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into the community,’’ said the CS.
The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), which is leading and managing Kenya’s participation, is expecting over 350 Kenyan MSEs from the trade, manufacturing, agricultural, and service sectors will participate in the trade exhibition.
The multi-sectoral national organizing committee will thoroughly assess each MSME application to guarantee that Kenya is well-represented through high-quality goods and services.
Speaking during the launch, CEO Micro and Small Enterprises Authority, Mr. Henry Rithaa said, “The Authority is confident that this event will give an ideal platform for promoting diversified Kenyan brands, testing newly created technologies, and improving Kenya’s business presence in Uganda and neighboring countries as part of the enlarged East Africa Community trading bloc”.
The Authority is also working with the National Organizing Committee’s representative agencies to facilitate post-event onward linkages for the participating MSMEs.
