Kigali 13, December 2019 - Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon Soraya Hakuziyaremye officially opened the Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Trade Fair of the East African Community (EAC). More than 1,000 exhibitors from five EAC Partner States attended the trade fair, hosted by Rwanda from 13th to 22nd December 2019 at Gikondo Grounds in Kigali, as part of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the revival of the Community.

Over the years, the “East African Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition” currently called “East African Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fair” has served new market frontiers for artisans’ products. It has also bridged the technological gaps between Artisans’ and as an avenue of integrating the artisans’ in the region and promoting the sector’s products, transfer of technologies and promotion of integration process in the region.

The Artisans produce locally made products to earn an income to live adequately according to community standards.

This regional exhibition serves to showcase products from the East African Region by exposing the exhibitors to emerging markets and technologies while at the same time offering them an expanded market for their products. At the exhibition, experts give the exhibitors professional advice on the key topics.

Speaking at the official opening, the Guest of Honor Honorable Minister Soraya Hakuziyaremye said that this EAC Trade fair is renowned for providing an opportunity for exhibitors from the region to discover new market place, promote their products and services, network and exchange ideas and share experiences. “I urge each and every exhibitor to seize this opportunity and maximize their potential,” she added

The Trade Fair is organized by the East African Community in collaboration with the EAC Partner States and the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organizations (CISO).

On 22 December, Minister of State Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe officiated the closing ceremony of the 20th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fair, held at Gikondo Expo Ground. 862 exhibitors from five Partner States attended. Amb. Nduhungirehe also awarded the best exhibitor, Mayondo Engineering Works, a furniture enterprise from Uganda.

The first Exhibition was held in Arusha on November 1999 and coincided with the historic event of signing of the Treaty for Establishment of the East African Community. After the success of the premier Exhibition, the Heads of State directed that the Exhibition be held annually on rotational basis among Partner states to enhance and revamp the socio-economic integration of the peoples of East Africa.

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Source: Ministry of Trade and Industry