UMA trade fair starts today, to focus on SMEs
What you need to know:
- Exhibitors. The fair, which has for 27 years showcased industrialisation and innovation in Uganda, is expected to attract more than 500 exhibitors from about 30 countries.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be the main focus as the 27th Uganda Manufacturers Association International Trade Fair kicks off today.
The fair, which has for 27 years showcased industrialisation and innovation in Uganda, is expected to attract more than 500 exhibitors from about 30 countries.
It will mainly focus on SMEs’ innovations as well as push for partnerships, collaborations and linkages from foreign companies.
“We want this to be an arena where things happens beyond the usual business. And we have done everything possible to allow SMEs make the most out of this trade fair,” Ms Barbara Mulwana, the UMA chairperson, told journalists in a press briefing ahead of the fair.
The fair will also, according to a statement, seek to facilitate business-to-business linkages by bringing foreign manufacturers and suppliers across the globe to show case their products through which local businesses can partner for agent or dealerships.
It will also seek to create markets for exhibitors as well as expose their products to potential business partners.
Mr Daniel Birungi, the UMA executive director, said the nine-day trade fair is one of the avenues through which Uganda can exhibit and expand its industrial capacity as well as an avenue for product launch opportunities.
“For any business that wishes to introduce a new product to a bigger audience, the [fair] is the ultimate opportunity which makes the face to face interaction possible,” he said.
A range of local products such as electric motor bikes, maize threshers, medical diagnostic tools, rechargeable batteries and electrical metres, among other products, according to UMA, will also be exhibited.
Others are Ugandan made transformers, unique plastic chairs, high quality mattresses, irrigation systems, yoghurt flavours, soft drinks, water treatment technology, trucks (Automobile) and efficient chicken feeds and technology will also be on display.
Good platform
For the last 26 years, the trade fair has given a platform to both local and international exhibitors to showcase their products, which has resulted into growth of numerous brands and companies that started off as startups. The theme: “Promoting job creation through industrialisation” comes at a time when Uganda is in urgent need to address growing unemployment.
