The Rwanda Investment Forum, which concludes today in Kigali, should be an eye opener, not just to potential investors but to all Rwandans.

This conference, which was organised through the partnership of the Rwanda Development Board and the Commonwealth Business Council, is the first Commonwealth related investment event hosted by Rwanda since it joined the bloc.

With the theme "Accessing an East African Market of 150 Million and Accelerating Growth and Development”, this conference presents a great opportunity for Rwandans, East Africans and the wider Commonwealth.

Foreign investors will not only realise the investment opportunities in Rwanda and the East African Community, but will be able to interact with domestic investors.

The opportunity to meet government officials and business leaders shouldn’t be missed. Local investors should use this chance to network, establish contacts and set up deals.

This Forum highlights Rwanda’s chosen path to development, with the private sector at the forefront. And, with the kind of reforms that have seen the country ranked, by the World Bank, "Top Global Reformer”, in its Doing Business Report 2010, is proof that Rwanda is open for business.  

When Rwanda joined the Commonwealth last year, some wondered what the benefits were. The investment conference is just one such example. Many more will surely follow.

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