[2007-09-11]  700 Companies to Take Part in Uma Trade Fair
A total of 700 companies from 32 countries are expected to participate in this year's trade fair, the Uganda Manufacturers Association's (UMA) executive director, Hillary Obonyo, has said, writes David Muwanga.

"We have so far registered 450, but the figure will increase to 700 as more companies register," Obonyo said.


"Between 70% and 80% of the space has been booked. For the first time, we have got 20 companies coming from South Africa, while 120 are coming from Kenya," he said.

The fair, under the theme: "Leading the way to regional markets," has also attracted the Tanzania Board of External Trade who will exhibit the country's tourism potential plus services and opportunities in Dar es Salaam.

There will also be companies from Nigeria and Ghana who are to exhibit African fabrics.

The Indian Plastics Exporters Association is to introduce new technology for producing new types of packaging that will replace buveera.



Other new products to be exhibited include solar lights for charging mobile phones and small agricultural tractors by a Japanese firm, Fuji.

Obonyo said due to the increasing number of exhibitors, the association was investing sh1.3b in construction of an exhibition hall.

"So far, we have spent sh500m on the project that will be used during the trade fair."






Source: All Africa