Hon. Kadaga, PPDA, Launch the East African business Expo

She also reaffirmed the Ugandan government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote regional cooperation and trade, such as the upcoming regional procurement forum.

“The Government of Uganda recognises the importance of regional integration and trade, and is committed to promoting policies and initiatives that will help to further strengthen economic ties between our countries,” she said, adding that, “My ministry is committed to supporting initiatives like this that promote regional integration and economic development. I encourage all of you to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase your businesses, connect with potential partners, and contribute to the growth of our region.”

While addressing the media during the event, PPDA executive director Benson Turamye stated that the regional procurement forum will this time join the EABE, which is intended to bring together investors from the region and other parts of the world to showcase whatever business they can do with the Government of Uganda.

From the left, The PPDA executive director, Benson Turamye, FIPRO CEO, Agaba Moses, Hon. Rebeca Kadaga, and Aloysious Byaruhanga – Senior Manager Performance Monitoring, PPDA.

“The business expo is intended to bring together investors of the region and other countries. The investors will showcase whatever business they think they can do with Government of Uganda,” he said.

The executive director also said the event will mostly involve businesses exhibiting products that they can offer the market.

“People will exhibit products during the forum. Those who manufacture products like clothes, agricultural produce, tractors and road equipment among others. This will help Government know what different businesses have to offer,” he said.

The East African Procurement Forum (EAPF) is an annual event that brings together the heads of public procurement regulatory bodies from East African Community (EAC) member states and other participants.

The forum and the East African Business Expo, organized by Fathil International Projects (FIPRO), are an opportunity to share experiences and challenges with the goal of improving country procurement systems while maintaining member states’ desire to harmonise the systems toward a political federation.

The Chief Executive Office FIPRO, Moses Agaba, said the event is important to Uganda and the region because local businesses get the opportunity for exposure. The local businesses get the opportunity of networking, collaboration and also be able to showcase the products they have to offer to the regional East African market.

The 14th East African Procurement Forum and East African Business Expo which is a four-day event will include business meetings, conferences, Innovation, Networking, generate sales leads and building of valuable relationships, under the theme “Open Contracting as a vehicle for Sustainable Development.”

For the first time ever, the East African Procurement forum will include the East African Business Expo which will attract procurement professionals and key industry suppliers from the 7 East African countries to share knowledge, best practice, network as well as avail opportunities for suppliers to showcase their products, goods and services.

PPDA will host partner procurement regulatory bodies which include: The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) of Kenya, The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) of Tanzania, The Rwanda Public Procurement Authority, Agence de Regulation des Marches Public (ARMP) of Burundi, Agence de Regulation des Marches Public (ARMP) of DRC and the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Southern Sudan who together regulate over Two hundred thousand (200,000) suppliers with a procurement market size estimated at over $100b annually.

Procurement Service Providers, Suppliers of Goods and Services, Consultants, institutions and Interest Groups are invited to participate as exhibitors or sponsors. The East African Business Expo provides an unrivalled opportunity to showcase products and services directly to key decision makers involved in procurement and purchasing.