MBARARA– Mbarara City Council has approved Shs 100 million to enable it to host the next East Africa International Trade Exhibition [EAITE] on multi-sector products, and equipment and machinery.
EAITE, expected to be hosted within the current financial year, is the largest trade event held annually. The exhibition attracts exhibitors from more than 30 countries and visitors from all over East and Central Africa, thus giving exhibitors an excellent opportunity to explore several countries at one time.
The last exhibition was last year held at Rock City Grounds in Mwanza, Tanzania where a convention of six states approved Uganda to host the annual trade fair.
Although the trade expo has been held on a rotational basis in the East African Community [EAC] Member States, Uganda has resolved to hold this year’s event in either Gulu, Mbale, or Mbarara districts.
According to Mbara City Council Speaker, Bonny Tashobya, the council first recommended Shs 50 mln to be used in the new financial year but later added more money to fulfill the condition to host fair.
Richard Mugisha, the city clerk confirmed a total of Shs 100 mln contribution, which is 50 double the Shs 50 mln required by the EAC to host the trade exhibition.
“Even when the minimum requirement was Shs 50 mln our political leaders earmarked 100 mln as a contribution towards preparations for the trade fair and I am optimistic that we shall qualify,” he said. The event is expected to cost Shs 10bln.
Mugisha is optimistic that for Mbarara to host such a mega expo, the new city will out-compete Uganda’s capital city authority in trade and economic progress.
“Our application was received and acknowledged and about a month ago a team from the ministries of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC], and East African Community Affairs came to do the assessment,” he said.
Out of the 10 regional cities in Uganda, the tight race to host the super mega event is between Mbarara, Mbale and Gulu, Mugisha said.
“By the look of things, we are optimistic that we will qualify because we are strategically located compared to the other competitors who are in the race. We are ready because we have already mobilised,” Mugisha said.
Exhibitors in Mbarara are prepared to showcase; long-horned Ankole cattle, tourism features, bananas, handcraft, traditional cultural aspects, and beautiful hotels among others.
Mugisha says hosting the trade fair will unlock market opportunities for the products produced in western Uganda.
Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the Mayor of Mbarara City, says that hosting the trade fair will help improve the image of the city and market it in East Africa and beyond.
“Being a new city, this one is going to expose us to the world,” said Kakyebezi.
According to Tashobya, “This is an opportunity for us in Mbarara which traders must utilize well because hosting such an event gives us the advantage to host other regional and global business events.”
However, Tashobya said preparations are moving at a slow pace because the city has not yet got money from the central government.
“We are looking for where to get the money to fund the function. Parliament is supposed to contribute but also the East African Legislative Assembly [EALA],” he said.
Tashobya said, “The aim of this trade fair is, to improve and promote trade within EAC as we will be hosting Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and DRC.”
Also Emmanuel Muhumuza, acting chairman representing Mbarara central market traders said the trade fair will boost sales in the new facility.
“We have a lot of products to showcase but our vendors need to be informed earlier such that we know the kind of products to exhibit,” Muhumuza said.
Aggrey Twijuka, a proprietor of Oxford Inn and Adit Mall welcomed the idea of hosting the event and believes this will have a positive impact on the region’s economy once the city is granted a green light to host it.
According to State Minister of Trade and Industry, David Bahati, they have asked EALA to help mobilise Shs 10bln needed for Uganda to host the trade fair.
“We hope the funds will be availed. The ministry will take a lead role in resource mobilization,” Bahati said.
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