A nine-day trade fair of the East African Community (EAC) micro, small, and medium enterprises kicked off in Juba on Monday and will conclude on 5 November.
The fair attracted 1,700 exhibitors from Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan who are showcasing products including textiles, crafts, foods and beverages, and locally made machinery among others.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Vice President James Wani Igga, said South Sudan, as the host country, is committed to strengthening economic cooperation and development in the East African region.
“We in South Sudan strongly believe that the ongoing efforts are geared towards regional economic integration as a key strategy for sustainable growth, poverty reduction, and long-term stability in our region. These endeavors undoubtingly lead to solid economic integration and eventually, political unity,” he said. “The micro, small, and medium enterprises are the backbone of regional economic development and essential in achieving inclusive processes and progress. Collectively, the East African Community must encourage and support investment in the micro, small, and medium enterprises to accelerate regional industrialization and economic diversification.”
For his part, Joseph Moum Majak, South Sudan`s Minister for Trade and Industry, said the trade fair is a major milestone for the country since its joining the regional bloc which is an energetic platform where artisans and entrepreneurs from across the region display their innovation and skills.
“The event plays a critical role in fostering economic cooperation and transforming socio-economic relations across the East Africa Community,” he stated. “This trade fair is an important mechanism for advancing micro, small, and medium enterprises and opens up new market opportunities, helps close the technological divide, encourages regional innovation, and showcases the ingenuity and craftsmanship of our people as we walk toward a common vision of prosperity.”
Minister Moum added: “South Sudan is excited to contribute to this noble cause as the host nation and together with the East Africa Community Secretariat, we pledge to work closely with the confederation of micro, small and medium enterprises, organizations and partner states to ensure the success of enterprises in the region.”
Meanwhile, Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, Deputy Secretary General for Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs for the East African Community, said the trade fair is not just an exhibition but an opportunity for the small-scale traders to shine, to connect, to grow from local artisans to technology-driven innovations.
“Our measures of success will be evaluated through the number of sustainable partnerships delivered, new knowledge gained, and the emergence of value chains so they can sell what they have brought forward to present to the market,” she said. “I call upon the national organizing committee to reach out to all sectors of the society in South Sudan and to inform them of this trade fair happening here this entire week.”
“We also hope that representatives from the EAC partner states will take the trip down to South Sudan to see what the region has to offer,” Ssemuwemba added.