By Barnet.A.Shizzola
East African manufacturers are calling for a policy that will compel people from the region to buy locally manufactured goods.
The call was made during the first ever East African Manufucturers Business Summit (EAMBS) at Speke Resort Hotel Munyonyo where more than 500 manufacturers expressed disappointment over people from the region abandoning local products for western goods.
Denis Karere the chairman East African Business Council (EABC) said he was dismayed by the fact that more than 70% of goods used in the region are being imported from western countries including those that can be accessed from member states.
“Our manufacturing industry cannot develop when we local consumers do not buy our goods. There must be sensitization to change the mindset of East Africans who believe that imported goods are of better quality,”. Karere said.
Amos Nzeyi the Uganda Manufacturers Association Chairman criticized regional governments for not giving local manufacturers priority while awarding tenders for projects such as roads and bridges.
He noted there is need to introduce electronic flashcards to ease movement of goods within the region as well as address trade imbalances.
“Statistics show that Uganda buys Kenyan products worth US$ 700 million whereas Kenya buys from Uganda goods worth US$150 million. This is enough to show that there is a big gap in balance of trade,”.Nzeyi said.
The summit was attended by businessmen and manufacturers from all countries in the East African region.
