At the Sources Show 2005 held from 15-18 May, the ECA Hub sponsored the attendance of 15 companies from Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Rwanda. They represented textile, handicrafts and garments sectors. Kenya's Ambassador to the US, H.E. Leonard Ngaithe visited the ECA Hub booths to end his support & encouragement to the efforts of the exhibitors.

This year's show attracted over 500 overseas producers of gifts, home furnishings, decorative accessories and handicrafts with about 4,000 - 5,000 attendees. Buyers attending the show were primarily from the US and included wholesalers, importers and distributors looking to establish relationships with international manufacturers to bring products into the US for resale.

One of the ECA Hub companies - Gahaya Links from Rwanda, received interest from the large US department store Macy's, for its handcrafted "peace baskets". Macy's will set-up a display of the baskets at one of the New York area Macy stores from July to September at no cost to Gahaya Links. This display will be used to test the market response to the "peace baskets" and allow sufficient production lead-time for the Christmas season. This opportunity presents a great opportunity for Gahaya Links to make headway into the US market. This was Gahaya's second time to participate at the Sources Trade Show.

Many of the companies were first time exhibitors with the exception of Gahaya Links and Kenana Weavers. The booth displays were both creative and innovative, with a hand-loom weaving demonstration at the Maasai Weavers and Madagascar Arts, seized the opportunity to display merchandise appropriately linked with the Disney summer movie - Madagascar!

Many of the exhibitors are still making follow-up on enquiries and the Hub will continue to monitor the outcomes and bring you updates on the opportunities and success achieved.