URUGWIRO VILLAGE - The Executive Director of the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) Nestor Osorio and the Secretary General of Inter Africa Coffee Organisation, Josepha Sacko have hailed Rwanda for being one of the world’s leading and consistent producers of quality coffee.

The top officials from the leading coffee bodies worldwide said this yesterday following their courtesy call on President Paul Kagame, at Urugwiro Village, which aimed at delivering a congratulatory message for the country’s contribution to the coffee industry.

They are in the country to attend the 6th East African Fine Coffees Association (EAFCA) Conference that is taking place in Kigali.

Kagame thanked the heads of the two organisations for the continued support their respective organisations have given Rwanda regarding developing the country’s coffee sector and sourcing markets for the country’s coffee produce.

Osorio, the head of the ICO, which brings together leading coffee producers in the world, said that his organisation will continue supporting Rwanda especially regarding acquiring modern coffee processing technology and wooing potential investors in the coffee industry.

He said that the coffee body strives to ensure that prices do not suffer heavily from the economic crisis and that coffee producing economies benefit from the arrangement.

He assured coffee producers and exporters in the country that prices will remain stable despite the global economic downturn.

Osorio added that the body will continue working with the Government and the Private Sector to further develop Rwanda’s Coffee industry and double the productivity of Rwanda’s quality coffee, which has gained international acclaim.

The two officials were escorted to Urugwiro Village by the Chairman EAFCA Joseph Taguma and the Director General of the Rwanda Coffee Board (OCIR-Café) Alex Kanyankore.

The meeting at Urugwiro was also attended by the State Minister of Agriculture, Agnes Kalibata.

Kalibata said that the 3-day conference currently taking place in Kigali Serena Hotel will also serve as an opportunity to discuss the future of the coffee industry and market in regard to the global crisis.

Rwanda produces about 25,000 tonnes of coffee annually, which contribute close to 20 percent of the country’s foreign exchange revenue.

The three day forum that also attracted other 500 global coffee connoisseurs is aimed at promoting and marketing the cash crop.

About 52 companies dealing in coffee from all over the world are also exhibiting.

Ends