Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) has said preparations for this year’s International Trade Fair and Exhibition that will attract over 300,000 visitors and over 920 visitors both local and international are in high gear.
This year’s trade show that will run between October 3 and 10 returns after a two year break due to Covid-19 restrictions.
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Addressing journalists on Thursday, UMA chairman, Deo Kayemba said the exhibition that has grown over the last 28 years will this year attract 300,000 visitors.
He explained that this year, UMA will cast the spotlight on locally made products with grown capacities from every sector under the theme “Business recovery by harnessing local sourcing and deepening value chains integration”.
“This theme is a reinforcement of our call to the government to prioritise local sourcing through public procurement. By increasing the reservation guidelines for sectors such as cables, iron and steel, textile, cement, transformers and many others, we are confident this will not only help businesses recover but will also fulfill the aspirations enshrined in the National Development Plan III that speak to growth in jobs, exports and growth of the country as a whole,”Kayemba said.
He noted that this year’s trade fair marks 60 years of Uganda’s independence and a reflection of the country’s economic journey that is bred from persistence, hard work, creativity and resilience that has steered the economy.
The UMA chairman noted that with the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the exhibition presents an integrated market platform for businesses to grow their market share, and ink partnerships with both local and international participants.
The fair
According to Simon Kaheru, the chairman in charge of the marketing subcommittee of the fair, during the 28th edition, with a total of 920 exhibitors confirmed, 120 of these will come from 25 countries including Kenya,India, Pakistan, Nigeria, UAE, Turkey, Taiwan,Thailand, South Africa, Malaysia, Netherlands, Somalia, Iran, Morocco, Bangladesh, DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Jordan and Tunisia among others.
He noted that the fair will also include business to business meetings and trainings, guided tours for school children, and entertainment.
“The trade fair will facilitate business to business linkages where foreign manufacturers and suppliers of products from all over the world will showcase their products and enable businessmen interact with them but also become agents and learn from them,”Kaheru said.
“This will also be a benchmarking opportunity where exhibitors will have an opportunity to evaluate their competitiveness through exhibiting with their sector playing and learn new ideas, products and trends from their competitors locally and internationally.”
Security beefed
According to police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, whereas there is no specific threat directed towards the event, it can however, be a magnet for serious security concerns, noting that security will deploy heavily.
“We have mobilised manpower both overt and covert and logistical resources including digital resources to counter all forms of threats, vulnerabilities and eventualities towards the event. Our security details comprise of personnel from general duties, Field Force Unit, counter terrorism, traffic police, canine unit, fire brigade, medical team, ICT, UPDF and the joint intelligence components who will maintain heightened presence throughout the event,” Enanga said.
He said they have profiled surrounding areas and mapped out routes for patrols on foot, motorcycles and on vehicles as well as the presence of CCTV cameras and other security technology to monitor the trade fair.
“We are also reviewing the safety management plan of the organisation. This includes their response plans, security, staffing levels, traffic controls, access controls and emergency evacuation plans among others.”
Enanga warned that there will be thorough screening process for all accessing the trade fair , including walk-through metal detectors, visual inspections of bags and other items, restricted the number of entrances to the venue and make use of the canine security sweeps.
“It’s essential that the health protocols of wearing masks, handwashing with soap, use of disinfectors and social distancing are followed. Trade show goers and attendees tend to lower their guard and become susceptible to criminals and fraudsters. We are asking everyone to exercise caution and be wary of risks.”
President Museveni and his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto will close the trade fair on October, 10.
