East African Business Week (Kampala)
Humphrey Liloba
1 October 2007
Nairobi — The annual Nairobi International Trade Fair (NITF) will for the first time attract exhibitors from Rwanda and Burundi.
The two countries which officially joined the East African Community (EAC) mid this year have confirmed participation, joining Uganda and Tanzania which have participated in the past trade fairs.
The show that kicks off on this week will also be graced by ministers of agriculture and livestock from both Rwanda and Burundi in efforts to share experiences among the EAC countries.
President Mwai Kibaki will preside over the official opening on Wednesday, two days after activity kicks off at the vast facility. Livestock and fisheries minister, Joseph Munyao is expected to handover some livestock to the Rwandan agriculture minister at the event.
Sources told East African Business Week that a delegation of more than 25 farmers from the two countries sponsored by ICRAF was also expected at the event. According to NITF chairman Sam Gitonga , over 400, 000 showgoers are expected at this year's event which will be a major improvement as compared to last year when some 320,000 visitors attended.
Also on the rise will be the number of visitors from the EAC region with expectations high that the two new members will fully participate in the annual event that has in the recent past attracted a lot of regional and international interest..
The chairman said the number of exhibitors had also increased significantly as compared to the previous year. This will include 193 local exhibitors and some 44 regional and international exhibitors.
At a media pressing in his office last week, the chairman said preparations for the one week event were going on well with flowing co-operation from all stakeholders.
Reporters visiting the sprawling facility witnessed a beehive of activity with various exhibitors rushing against time to put final touches on their stands.
Among top officials who toured the grounds to inspect the preparations were agriculture minister Kipruto Kirwa , Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Waweru Maina , Nairobi deputy mayor, Ferdinand Waititu and officials from the ministry of East African Cooperation.
Among major sponsors of the event are the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) that sponsored the construction and re-carpeting of feeder roads in the show ground and surrounding areas to the tune of Ksh18 million.
Also beefed up ahead of the event is the security situation with organisers promising a heavy police presence. Incidents like mugging and pilferage have been reported in the past causing a security scare for showgoers.
"The NITF has attracted a lot of attention. We expect a very vibrant and busy week free of incidents. There is reservation for heavy police presence on the lookout for any eventualities," said Gitonga.
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