The ‘Made-in-Rwanda’ expo has opened with a call on Rwandans to support local producers by buying locally-made goods. The expo is solely for local producers and industries to showcase their products and create confidence among buyers about their quality to increase market share.
The ‘Made-in-Rwanda’ expo has opened with a call on Rwandans to support local producers by buying locally-made goods. The expo is solely for local producers and industries to showcase their products and create confidence among buyers about their quality to increase market share.
Emmanuel Hategeka, the Ministry of Trade and Industry permanent secretary, however, challenged producers to improve product packaging and embrace new technologies in their operations to boost standards.
"Through initiatives like this, Rwanda will be able to reduce trade deficit through increased exports and reduction on imports, especially for goods made locally,” he said. Hategeka was addressing journalists during the first day of the ‘Made-in-Rwanda’ expo at Gikondo Show Grounds in Kicukiro District yesterday.
Rwanda trade deficit improved 1.4 per cent to $1,761.3 million last year, from $1,787.2 million in 2014, according to the central bank’s monetary policy and financial statement released on February 18. The expo, organised by the Private Sector Federation and the Trade and Industry Ministry, started yesterday and will close on March 2.
Hategeka said the exhibition presents consumers, small-scale producers and big manufacturers an opportunity to interact and trade. He noted that government is targeting to support sectors with high growth potential that can help satisfy local market and export the surplus to regional and other markets.
The permanent secretary said the trade fair is part of government’s domestic market recapturing strategy mooted in 2014 with the aim of contributing to the realisation of Vision 2020.
He added that it also seeks to set Rwanda on the path to economic transformation through increasing domestic production for local consumption.
"We want to increase the demand of local products to boost SMEs because they create jobs through an enlarged market,” Hategeka said.
Benjamin Gasamagera, the PSF chairman, said the principal objective of the "Made-in-Rwanda’ campaign is to encourage Rwandans to give priority to domestically-produced goods.
He said the federation is supporting members to improve product and services quality to meet international standards.
Exhibitors speak out
Humura Enterprises owner, 70-year-old Adelle Rwabdariko, said she participated in the exhibition to show people that age does not matter when it comes to business as long as one skills and are ready to work.
Rwabdariko, who has been producing peanut butter for 10 years, is optimistic that the ‘Made-in-Rwanda’ initiative is going to benefit businesses and Rwandans in general.
Saidi Hitimana, the human resource manager of C&H Made in Rwanda, which makes uniforms and garments, said though they are showcasing their products at the expo, they are looking to enter the regional and international markets.
Ramesh Rapaka, the director operations at V-Plus Developers and Traders Limited, said the expo gives them an opportunity to show Rwandans what they produce with a view of winning new clients.
Meanwhile, the show had by yesterday afternoon attracted a small number of showgoers, with some exhibitors also still setting up their stalls. More showgoers are expected over the weekend.
About 270 firms, especially small-and-medium enterprises, are participating in the expo that will be officially lauched by the Prime Minister today.
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