UMA trade fair to kick off on October 6
Posted by africanpress on October 4, 2008
By Beatrice Wanja, Kampala————-This year’s Uganda International Trade Fair (UGIF) will take place from October 6 to 13, Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) officials have confirmed.Preparations for the 16th annual fair, is already in top gear as exhibitors set up their stalls at the UMA show grounds. Addressing a press conference at UMA show grounds on Wednesday, UMA Chairman, James Kalibala, said the fair will stimulate and foster trade and investment opportunities among foreign and local business people.
Kalibala said this year’s theme of “linking production to the prospective market through value addition” will provide a forum for global business networking. “The theme fits in with government’s vision of putting in place varied but integrated economic programmes that are geared towards modernisation of agriculture and industrial transformation,’ Kalibala said.
Over 850 participants up from last year’s 817, from across Africa, the Middle East and Europe will participate in the week long fair. Among them are new entrants like Libya, South Africa, United Kingdom, and Russia. Some of the participants have already made block bookings and put up pavilions in readiness of the event.
Service companies and institutions on promotional drives like Capital Markets Authority and banking institutions have increased steadily. “The trade fair is a major attraction to trade and investment in the country; we encourage exhibitors to set up facilities to manufacture locally in the region. With the expansion of East Africa community to include Rwanda and Burundi the region is now one of a strong trading bloc. The trade fair will offer opportunities to those who wish to invest in the region,” Kalibala said.
“Uganda could benefit from a combined population of 120 million people and a gross domestic product of $ 41 billion,” he added. This year’s business days have been extended from 2 to 3 due to popular demand to allow exhibitors and show goers to transact more business. Seminars, workshops, demonstrations and talks will be held on all the 3 business days.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to officially the trade fair on October 10. “The objective of the business meeting will be to showcase new innovations/technology, product development, business partnership as well as promoting marketing of industrial products. Entrance fee is Shs 3000 for adults and Shs2000 for children,” a statement from UMA said.
