KIGALI, RWANDA – Uganda’s Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), Hon. David Bahati, officiated at Uganda Day during the 26th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair held at Gikondo Expo Grounds in Kigali, Rwanda.
Min. Bahati used the occasion to encourage entrepreneurs and exhibitors to take advantage of the vast East African market, which has a population of more than 300 million people, to expand their businesses and strengthen regional trade.
Addressing participants during the event, the minister appreciated the Government of Rwanda for its warm hospitality and for hosting the regional trade fair, which brought together entrepreneurs and business stakeholders from across the East African Community.
He also commended the exhibitors for their participation and urged them to maximise the opportunities presented by the regional exhibition to showcase their products, establish business connections and explore new markets across the EAC bloc.
Bahati reminded the business community that Uganda and other EAC partner states shared common interests that were essential to advancing regional integration and economic development.
He highlighted three key priorities: strategic security, strategic markets and common prosperity, noting that these were important pillars in strengthening cooperation and creating shared opportunities among member states.
The minister further emphasised that the East African Community should not be viewed merely as a collection of different tribes and nationalities, but as a united people working towards a common destiny.
He called for greater value addition to locally available raw materials, explaining that strengthening regional production and processing would help businesses become more competitive while creating greater economic opportunities for citizens.
Bahati’s message underscored the importance of using regional trade platforms to promote entrepreneurship, expand market access and strengthen economic cooperation among East African countries.
The 26th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair provided a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises across the region to exhibit their products, explore business partnerships and identify opportunities within the wider East African market.
