SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — The second mini-exposition to take place in the Southern Province kicked off on Saturday at Huye football stadium.

The expo ending on the 10th of August attracted over 100 exhibitors including companies from countries like Cameroon, Kenya and Burundi.

A variety of products including tourism, agriculture, artifacts are being displayed.

Speaking at the official opening, the Provincial Governor Fidel Ndayisaba, called upon local exhibitors to use the opportunity to learn from their colleagues in a bid to improve on their products.

"This should not be seen as an opportunity to sell but rather a time to explain what products you have, exchange contacts and to learn from fellow exhibitors,” said the governor.

The governor explained that entrance into the East African Common Market means that only shrewd business people will sustain competition.

He called for innovativeness, value addition and proper service delivery to clients if Rwandan businesses are to prevail in the regional market.

The Secretary General in the Ministry of Commerce hailed the role of the private sector in national development. He said that it is through such private undertakings that the country can attain economic independence.

The Secretary General urged people to buy Rwandan made products. Doing so, he said, "promotes local businesses.”
He called upon business people to come together in cooperatives so as to be able to take on big investments.

He hailed the establishment of investment groups like the Southern Province Investment Corporation, saying such groups encourage local investment.

Faustin Mbundu, the vice President of the Private Sector Federation (PSF) said that the mini-expositions being held in different parts of the country started in 2001 as a way of letting local people know what local businesses have to offer.

Mbundu stressed the importance of fine-tuning local products in order to meet the regional demands.

He said that the event should prepare business people in the Province for the national trade exposition that will run from August 28 to September 8.

According to Francois Rutayisire, the provincial President of PSF, each district in the Province will be allocated one day to showcase its products.

The ceremony was also attended by the commander of the RDF 4th division; Brig. Gen. Mubarak Muganga, regional Police Commander Chief Superintendent Faustin Nirushwa among others.

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