THE small and medium entrepreneurs from different areas across the country have applauded President Samia Suluhu Hassan for supporting them to partake in the 24 edition of the East Africa Community (EAC)'s entrepreneurs exhibition.

They said, a decision by the government to cover the cost for their transport and products to South Sudan has demonstrated the patriotic  way to which President Samia is keen to support the local small-scale traders.

The fortune traders raised their voices of  appreciation in Juba, South Sudan where they went to participate in this year's edition of the EAC's small -scale entrepreneurs.

The annually- staged exhibition, populary knows as 'Jua Kali' has been designed to boost performance of the small and medium entrepreneurs within the EAC's member states.

"We entrepreneurs are very delightful and we have all reason to thank  President Samia to enable us to reach South Sudan so that we can advertise our business in the member countries of the East African Community," said Janeth Makundi on behalf of others.

For his side,  the Acting Director of Employment and Skills Development from the Prime Minister's Office, Amos Nyandwi said that the government will continue to coordinate the participation of small and medium entrepreneurs in the key exhibition.

"The government will continue supporting the local small and medium entrepreneurs to take part in different exhibition so that they can stand a better opportunity to advertise their business, within and outside the country ," he said.

Speaking for his part, the Chairman of the Federation of Associations of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs of the East African Community (CISO Tanzania), Josephat Rweyemamu expressed that the Jua Kali exhibitions aim to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to show the services and products they produce.

"This exhibition is providing a crucial podium for the small and medium entrepreneurs from EAC member countries to exchange their experience and knowledge as well as useful information for heighten performance of their innovations and trades," he insisted.

The 24th exhibition of small and medium entrepreneurs of the East African Community, known as  Jua Kali, was officially opened by the Second Vice President of South Sudan, Dr. James Wani Igga where the exhibition has attracted more than 1,700 entrepreneurs from all eight (8) member countries of the East African Community (EAC).