12th East African Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition opens / Focus on innovation to become a high income region – President Museveni
ARUSHA, Tanzania, December 8, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda today reiterated that the EAC region needs to focus on its innovation agenda in order to become a high income region.
In a speech read for him by Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Eriya Kategaya at the official opening of the 12th East African Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition at the UMA Sports Grounds in Kampala, President Museveni said the EAC must adopt innovation that encourages production of cutting edge products and services amongst the Jua Kali (informal) and other Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The President noted that the regional Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition was an important gateway for the EAC artisans to share experiences, adding that “the role of innovation in poverty alleviation and development of the micro, small and medium enterprises as well as building capacity in trade is the focus of these annual events”.
President Museveni affirmed that the EAC regional market was one of the fastest growing export destinations and now was the right time to take advantage of the expanded market base because as awareness grows, low cost suppliers will enter the regional market. He said Governments in the region shall continue to develop economic and social infrastructure, human resources and institutions, promote trade and investments and improve productivity.
“These shall facilitate private sector expansion, enabling economic growth while at the same time creating additional employment opportunities”.
At the same occasion, Uganda’s State Minister for Industry and Technology, Hon. Dr. James Mutende noted that the annual Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi event contributes towards the realization of the regional development goals and aspirations by lending support to this vital sector of the economy which needs public patronage and government recognition in order to be sustainable.
The Hon. Minister disclosed that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Uganda is estimated to contribute in excess of 25% of the GDP and that the MSMEs were the major source of employment in Uganda.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Richard Sezibera informed the guests that the Exhibitions had been successful over the years due to the effective teamwork and commitment by the Steering Committee comprising of the representatives of the five Partner States, the Confederation of the Informal Sector Organizations and the East African Community Secretariat and the exhibitors.
The Secretary General, who was represented by the Head of the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Mr. Owora Richard Othieno, was gratified to note the enthusiastic participation of so many Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi artisans and entrepreneurs in the annual event which was indeed a reflection of the new vibrant spirit for regional integration and development that was emerging in East Africa.
The Secretary General noted that the theme of the exhibition Accelerating Innovations and Investments in the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Sector for EAC Regional Competitiveness symbolizes the sector’s focus on the process of regional integration. He was gratified to note that the informal sector was leading the way in this important phase of the development of the Community.
The Secretary General called upon East Africa’s Industrialists and Business Enterprises to emulate the example of BAT which was sponsoring the exhibitions until 2009 to take up the mantle of sponsoring future exhibitions.
The Chairperson of the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organizations (EA-CISO) Mr. James Bwatuti disclosed that the annual event had attracted over 600 artisans from all the five Partner States.
Mr. Bwatuti hailed the patrons of the EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibitions who are also the EAC Heads of State for their personal involvement in hosting the popular exhibitions over the years. He said the sector had evolved into a major platform for industrialization and contributes immensely to the process of regional integration.
The 12th East African Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition is running from 4 to 10 December 2011 at the UMA Sports Ground in Lugogo, Kampala. The East African Community in collaboration with the EAC Partner States and the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organizations (CISO) organizes the Annual event on rotational basis within the Partner States.
In order to promote the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi sector of the regional economy, EAC in collaboration with Partner States has since 1999 hosted the annual exhibitions. The annual exhibition has proved to be an avenue to promote the sector’s products, transfer of technologies and promotion of integration process in the region.
At the exhibition, experts are scheduled to give the exhibitors professional advice on the key topics such as: opportunities offered by the East African Common Market Protocol; how to invest in East Africa; public procurement procedures/requirements; and lastly accessing markets through retail outlets.
SOURCE
East African Community (EAC)
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