Kenya's participants to the 2021 MSME’s expo asked to prepare adequately

By Mourice Seretta

The Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development is appealing to all Micro and Small Enterprises that are to take part in the EAC MSME Trade fair in Mwanza Tanzania in December to prepare well way in advance so as to avoid last minute rush.

Speaking when she officially launched the National Organizing Committee for the 21^st EAC MSME’s Trade Flair at her offices, the Ministry’s Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina said that by so doing, no one will be left out or will complain of any form of harassment during the Trade Fair.

‘For instance we have another Trade Expo that will be taking place in Dubai later this year. All that is needed for the expo is with the travelling agencies ready for shipping. That is what we also want as a ministry for the Mwanza Expo,’ CS Maina said.

The CS further asked Kenyans traveling to the Mwanza Trade Fair to also take the needed vaccines against any disease.

‘I am also urging all those that will be traveling for the Trade Fair to get vaccinated against any diseases. We don’t want someone to go there and get us what we are fighting,’ Maina further said.

CS Maina said since its unveiling, the annual EAC exhibition has served to bring together MSE’s from East Africa’s 6 partner states for purposes of opening up new market frontiers for their products while bridging the knowledge and technological gaps between them and promoting the regional integration process.

However, CS Maina said there still remains much more to be done to link regional economies and one of the policies for inclusive growth and sustainable development is the enactment of the new trading accord under AfCFTA. The pact connects 1.3 billion people across 55 counties with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 Trillion.

‘Regional infrastructure improvements will ensure that consumers and producers throughout the continent are better connected to each other and global markets. EAC needs to take advantage of the global demand for manufactured goods, services and agricultural goods produced inland to promote job creation and wealth creation opportunities,’ CS Maina advised.

The exhibition aims to support 800 MSMEs develop new regional channels and increase their market reach. It will be an excellent opportunity for government, the private sector, and MSME support oraganizations to network, share information, and collaborate in developing the MSME sector.

CS Maina encouraged entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the trade fair to build networks and expand market opportunities to achieve their dream ideas.

She urged the committee not only to choose the best entries for the expo but also the unique ones that will showcase Kenya’s progress since the expo began 21 years ago.

She also said the government will give it’s full support to the committee towards ensuring that the preparations and attendance of the expo is excellent.

This year’s theme will be ‘Promoting Quality and Innovation to enhance EAC MSME’s competitiveness and post Covid-19 recovery’ that aims to provide MSME’s with insights so as to better position themselves for growth as they look ahead to the coming year.