By Yiep Joseph
East African Community (EAC) bloc has officially launched the 24th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) trade fair in Juba.
The colourful event held in Freedom Hall has attracted all EAC Member States entrepreneurs to showcase both small and medium-sized enterprises available across the bloc.
Motivated by the event’s theme; “promotion of unique innovation and skills development amongst EAC MSMEs”, several entrepreneurs exhibit numerous items, showing the potential of the bloc to build a strong economy in Africa.
The trade fair, running from 26th October to 5th November 2024, has attracted over 1500 exhibitors from the various countries in the bloc, showcasing their products.
The objective of the event is to promote trade, investment, and economic growth within the region by providing a platform for entrepreneurs, businesses, and stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and explore new market opportunities.
In his remarks during the launch South Sudan Vice President and head of Economic Cluster, Dr. James Wani Igga reaffirmed the region’s commitment toward trade.
“My country stands today to reaffirm the commitment of the East African Community as a regional economic group to advancing policies that facilitate free trade, free investment, and free movement of goods across the borders,” Wani said.
“One singular objective is to support the realization of the vision of the community, which is to create prosperous, competitive, and politically united East Africa,” he added.
He expressed that with current efforts, the East African community would continue to develop initiatives as they compete globally.
“In this exhibition, as we all see the display outside there, I intend to express the importance of collective efforts in building and integrating regional economies that can compete on this continent (Africa) as well as globally,” he said.
“I kindly urge the East African member states to continue supporting initiatives that foster economic stability for trade investment and cooperation not only within the states but with global partners,” he added.
Vice President Wani expressed that the trade fair would benefit all the countries involved, with the hope of strengthening small businesses to reach their full capacity for economic growth.
“It is worth this afternoon to emphasize the importance of trade fairs and exhibitions like this one; they create opportunities for businesses to showcase their products, gain access to new markets, and form cross-border partnerships. Trade fairs encourage businesses that embrace innovation and digitalization and increase global market,” he said.
Ms. Annette Mutaawe, Deputy Secretary General for Customs, Trade, and Monetary Affairs, East African Community, appreciated South Sudan for committing to hosting the trade fair.
She stated that the exhibition is meant to benefit all the countries in the bloc with a single object to encourage innovation in trade.
On his part, Joseph Moum Majak South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry, promised to make more efforts to improve trade.
He expressed that South Sudan will continue to use the available means to work hand in hand with the EAC member states in improving innovation with the hope of boosting trade.
Moum promised to work collectively with the EAC member states to achieve the empowerment of local producers to compete in the international market.
He emphasized the need for the exhibitors to use the trade to interact, create markets, and acquire needed techniques that could increase and improve production in the country.
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization of eight (8) partner states, comprising the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Federal Republic of Somalia was admitted into the EAC bloc by the Summit of EAC Heads of State on 24 November 2023 and became a full member on 4 March 2024.