{Rwanda and Burundi small entrepreneurs did not take part in the just ended annual East African Community (EAC) Exhibition held in Mwanza, Tanzania.}
According to the organizer of the event TCCIA Mwanza Chairman Mr Elibariki Mmari Rwanda and Burundi exhibitors did not show up because they were attracted by the nearby exhibitions organized by the Tanzania Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO).
The SIDO small entrepreneurs exhibitions in Kigoma few kilometres from Rwanda and Burundi went concurrently with the EAC Mwanza Exhibitions last week.
EAC Mwanza Exhibitions were held from August 27 to September 7, 2014 at Nyamagana Stadium, Mwanza.
“Due to proximity Rwanda and Burundi exhibitors have opted for a nearby SIDO Exhibitions in Kigoma,” Mmari said adding that by doing so exhibitors from Rwanda and Burundi were cutting transport costs.
“By running the two exhibitions concurrently, the EAC Exhibitions was badly affected,” he said adding that “next time we must avoid such a mix up.”
TCCIA are the organisers of the Mwanza EAC event. Turn–out was average but Mr Mmari was optimistic that it was “encouraging.”
“We need to streamline the EAC Exhibitions for the event to be more efficient, organized, well designed and built with smooth shape than what we are today,” Mr Mmari said.
According to Mr Mmari apart from Tanzania, Ugandan entrepreneurs had a big presence in the EAC exhibition. Both the EAC Exhibitions and Kigoma SIDO Exhibitions ended last week.
The Kigoma Exhibitions was meant for small industries from Singida, Tabora, Dodoma and Kigoma regions although it attracted other regions and other countries like Rwanda, DRC, Burundi and Kenya.
The challenges were two: Getting enough capital for the entrepreneurs and sound and stable markets for their commodities.
However, the Kigoma SIDO Regional Manager Mr McDonald Maganga said that despite such challenges, this year’s exhibitions had opened up market opportunities.
Mr Maganga admitted that a stable market both in Tanzania and outside the country was lacking. Because of this SIDO has initiated a fund for entrepreneurs to get loans ranging from Tsh2 million ($1,201) to Tsh6 million ($3,601).
About Tsh200 million ($120,009) has been lent out to small entrepreneurs in 2013/14 in Tanzania.
About 270 entrepreneurs from Tanzania’s Central Zone and Kenya participated in the Kigoma exhibitions.
Business Week
Leave a Reply