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NEWS- The business community in Mbale, under the Mbale City Traders Association (MACITA), on Tuesday visited TIANAO Furniture Manufacturing Company Ltd at Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park to inspect its products and explore potential business opportunities.

In an interview with Bugisu intellectual, Mohsin Omar, a businessman in Mbale City, expressed his admiration for the industrial park. “This industrial park is extraordinary. The furniture we used to buy from Kampala at high costs is now available here at relatively cheaper prices,” he said.

“The furniture I have seen here, priced at UGX 4 million, would cost between UGX 12 million and UGX 15 million in Kampala. I urge the people of Eastern Uganda to take advantage of this industrial park.” Mohsin added.

Richard Wambalo, another businessman and director at Richard Phones, appreciated the the partnership between traders and manufacturers.

“I saw chairs I had never seen before, and these can attract people to come and buy. I appeal to all business owners to come and collaborate with the Chinese manufacturers, they have high-quality products. This will help boost businesses in the city,” he said.

Speaking to Bugisu intellectual forum, Arthur Womulugwa, the manager of Generous Trading & Investments Ltd, praised the industrial park for producing quality and reliable products such as mattresses and chairs.

“In the coming years, businesses in Mbale will thrive. We used to import products from China, London and Dubai, but now we have factories right here. Traders from Kenya, Congo, and Rwanda will come to buy from us, boosting local revenue,” he said.

Sulaiman Kiwanuka, chairman of MACITA, acknowledged the role of the industrial park in reducing dependency on imports.

“Everything traders used to source from China is now available here, thanks to president Museveni’s efforts. The Chinese investors have assured us that they will sell products at lower prices so we can assemble and sell them in our shops for small profits. Buying in bulk will also reduce transport costs to China,” Kiwanuka said.

While speaking to our Bugisu intellectual reporter, Annet Nandelenga, the Mbale Branch Manager at Centenary Bank, expressed her excitement about the opportunities presented by the industrial park.

“As a financial institution, we are ready to partner with traders and manufacturers to finance their businesses. Customers who lack enough capital can come to us, and we will finance their purchases, allowing them to pay later,” Nandelenga said.

She also encouraged people in Mbale to open accounts with Centenary Bank, assuring them of financial support to grow their businesses.

The visit reinforced the growing opportunities at Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park and the potential economic benefits for Mbale traders.