CNR Holding, a major Turkish industrial and manufacturing company, will hold seven international exhibitions in Rwanda's capital between August and November 2022.
The exhibitions will featured different clustered products at different dates.
The decision was announced during the launch meeting of the exhibitions organised by CNR Holding with the participation of the Rwandan embassy in Turkey together with Turkish exporters and international mission representatives.
Up to 200 prominent business people from Turkey and international mission representatives including ambassadors, consuls, and commercial attaches from Rwanda, Ghana, Morocco, Kenya, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Iran, and the US were present.
Delivering her remarks, CNR Holding Chairwoman Ceyda Erem stated that their choice fell on Rwanda, because the country is considered a ‘bridge to Africa’.
"We have preferred Rwanda as our market to Africa, because in Rwanda we shall be able to have access to the whole African continent, and sell our products simultaneously because we cannot visit all African countries one by one,” she noted.
CNR Holding and its companies organise more than 50 fairs and exhibitions per year.
İnşaat Selim Bora who has previously conducted business in the country pointed out that Rwanda is an excellent choice.
"Rwanda is the shining star of Africa with the characteristics of clean environment, human rights, economy, modernity, trade activities, and people. I think the exhibition to be organized in Rwanda will add significant value to our trade,” he said.
Dubbed Gateway to Africa Expo, the exhibitions aim to reach a trading volume of 20 billion dollars between Turkey and Africa.
On behalf of the Rwandan government, Claire Akamanzi, the Chief Executive of Rwanda Development Board commended CNR Holding’s decision to hold the exhibitions in Rwanda and assured the mega business firm a good commercial experience in Rwanda.
"Rwanda is very well located, it is easy to step in and out, we offer a big market for the African continent, so if you are looking to access a market of one billion people, Rwanda is the place for you to start and expand to the rest of the continent,” he highlighted.
The Commercial Attaché of the Rwandan embassy in Turkey, Lucas J. Murenzi indicated that Rwanda is the heartbeat for the economic growth of the African continent.
"It is very difficult to pinpoint one particular country in a continent of 54 countries. However, when you assume that the African continent is a human structure, and attempt to point where the heart is, you are most likely to point out Rwanda due to its central location,” he said.
The Ambassador of Rwanda to Turkey, Fidelis Mironko emphasized that the government of Rwanda welcomes the Gateway to Africa Expo to Rwanda and assured that the event will be successful as Rwandan Institutions are always ready to facilitate such initiatives.
The schedule
CNR Holding will hold different exhibitions in different domains of products:
An exhibition dedicated to the industries, food and Hotel, restaurants and cafe will be held between August 11-13, that about shoes and leather between August 18-20, ready to wear between August 18-20 while building and construction is slated between September 15-17.
Health and hygiene exhibition is slated between November 3-5, furniture, home textiles, and bedding between November 7-9, and agriculture between November 10-12.