Tom Magumba
10 October 2008
Kampala — Kenya's Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are dominating the ongoing trade fair meaning that Uganda's could be missing an opportunity to showcase their potential.
Interviews with some SME exhibitors at the trade fair, indicated a related response with majority citing exorbitant charges for space by Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) who are the official organisers as reason for failing to participate in the trade fair.
"Most of the people in SMEs business especially upcountry could not afford the charges so they opted out" said Mr Kawula Gerald exhibiting energy saving stoves at the trade fair.
Mr Kawula revealed for instance that participants paid Shs635000 to book space in the Jua Kali hall and about Shs800,0000 in open space far too high for most people.
Kenya registered over 100 SMEs showcasing farm technology, tools, hand crafts and African garments among others. Ms Imolla Lilian in the Imara Designers pavilion said they had changed strategy this year using Ugandan language translators to woe customers and offering lower prices in order to sell all their stock by the end of the trade fair.
"Ugandans like our hand crafts and it seems there are higher prospects compared to last year" she said in an interview. Mr Samuel Matonda Kenya Export Market Development manager said they were keen on promoting their private sector by encouraging them to showcase their product range and quality in all sectors to the region.
"We are competing for space in the regional market so Kenyans take this as a key business opportunity" he said in an interview. Mr Matonda said Ugandans in the private sector should borrow a leaf from this utilise the Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu regional trade fairs.
Heavy down pours have meant that the crowds remain thin at the trade fair thus impacting on the sales but participants are still hoping to cash in on the weekend shoppers.
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