The Republic of South Sudan has been trusted with the responsibility of hosting the 24th edition of the East African Community Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair, popularly known as the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition in its capital Juba by end of 2024.
The biggest regional common market of the East African Community block is rotational among all the member states. This would be the first time South Sudan would be hosting the Trade Fair since they joined the East African Community in September 2016.
During the official closure of the 23rd edition of the Jua-Kali from Bujumbura on December,15th,2023, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba, the East African Community Secretariat Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs announced officially that Juba is the next destination of the Regional Trade Fair market in 2024.
After the announcement, Ms. Annette led in a ceremony confirming South Sudan as the next host by handing over the East African Community flag to the delegates from South Sudan who had graced the event in Bujumbura.
In an exclusive interview with the Elephant, she confirmed the same.
Audio File one: Ms. Annette on confirming South Sudan as the host.
Hosting the Trade show also comes with responsibility, Burundi smiled after successfully hosting the trade fair and it was visible in the eyes of the Burundian drummers who would beat the drum once they felt a point was made in the speeches.
The smile on the face of Nijimbere Marie-Chantal, the Burundi Minister of Commerce, Transport Industry and Tourism Minister during the officials’ closure also tells you that the traders were going in one piece and no gross insecurity was reported in Burundi except for the fuel crisis that made many people who traveled with their means of transport to enlist in the country’s underground system of the citizen. By getting fuel from the Democratic Republic of Congo because the fuel crisis was a mess.
This was not a serious insecurity issue hence the burden of safety of the traders and their goods both during the market and while in transit primarily rests with the Government of South Sudan as the next host.
“To enhance the spirit of integration and intra-trade, it’s a good move. Nevertheless, the South Sudan Government should ensure security is guaranteed especially in transit”. Munoru Edward, Assistant Director of Enterprise Development –Micro and Small Enterprises Authority in Kenya weighs in on the debate on security.
Honorable, Simon Nyang Anei, the Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Trade and Industry in South Sudan and one of the high delegations that received the flag from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat Deputy Secretary General said the Government has factored in everything and they are very set and ready to host the 2024 EAC with ease.
Audio two: Hon: Simon Anyang on hosting-Eng
The other member states will now wait for South Sudan which would take the lead in close consultation and partnership with the East African Community Secretariat that brings all the States together with their traders and the delegation of central organizing committees from all the members to ensure that the next Jua-Kali Trade fair achieves its objectives while in Juba.
End.
