East African Business Expo, (EABE) 2023 Launched in Kampala

By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.

Kampala, Uganda: The state minister For East African Affairs, Maggie Magode Ikuyaa has today launched the belated east African business expo 2023 at KCCA Grounds

The expo that was supposed to be hosted in march saw an overwhelmingly low turn up today

The state minister expressed his displeasure following the events that led to the postponement of the event

He says his ministry will review the outcomes and see whether there can be a repeat of the same event this year

The state minister started by visiting different stalls of the exhibitors before addressing the small number of the attendants

Different manufacturers showcased their products despite low turn up at the event

The state minister for east African affairs Magode Ikuya who represented the senior minster was disappointed at the turn up.

The minister acknowledges this could be attributed to the reschedule from march to May

The minister now wants government to reconsider its ways of doing business especially when it comes to hosing such international event

The east African business expo is an annual event held interchangeably between the east African members states.

This year has been Uganda’s turn to host the event that bring together different manufacturers from east Africa to show case their products

A section of women involved in the procurement and supply of goods especially to government used the platform to raise their voices over equality in the procurement process Statistics show that only 1% of contracts in Uganda are awarded to women

These women want a special consideration for women headed firms in the procurement process. They also want more financial muscle to enable them compete favourably with their male counterparts.

The women suppliers also want more investment in IT education because most of them cannot easily secure bids online. Government has since shifted to e process of bidding.

This according to government is meant to reduce human to human interface.

According to the PPDA act, women are entitled to 30% of the bids in government but only a few find their way to the bargaining table.

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