President Yoweri Museveni opened the 7th East African Jua Kali exhibition yesterday at the Uganda Manufacturers Association showground.
The Government had also invested sh2b in setting up a Jua Kali exhibition centre, which will host the exhibition. Taxes have also waived taxes on goods and services of all domestic and foreign exhibitors expected.
Over 500 artisans met the President, including Amanya Mushega the East African Community chief and were called upon by the President to open up their markets for African products in West, and also called on the business community to stop demanding for what does not benefit them like politics.
He called on the East African business community to inform their governments about trade barriers like high power tariffs, high interest rates, transport costs and reduction of custom procedures at the borders.
Jua Kali under the theme “vehicle for sustainable regional industrialization and development” contributes 20% to Uganda’s gross domestic product annually. An exhibition centre will promote the informal sector, which employs most people in the tourism and manufacturing sectors.
The exhibition to be held from November 28 to December 4 in Kampala aims at showcasing East African technology, expertise and creating market for high quality products. The exhibition will bring together exhibitors from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
By Kisibo Jackie
uganda news
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