The Private Sector Federation has signed an agreement with Spacial Solutions, a German-based consultancy to design the International Trade Fair and Exhibition Park (ITEP).

Currently, the expo ground is on 5,500 square meters area made of makeshifts and tents as exhibition stands.

The agreement was signed between Emmanuel Hategeka, the Secretary General of PSF and Prof Roland Dieterle, the CEO of Spacial Solutions at Serena Kigali Hotel.

The consultant, according to the agreement, will have to produce the inception and conceptual designs of the ITEP project within exactly four and half months effective the date of signature.

The consultancy will cost PSF Euro358,670 (about Frw251 million), payable in three installments.

The inception and conceptual phases of the project will both cost about Euro7.6 million (Frw5,3 billion).

This will be spent on; preparation and site development, construction and outdoor facilities.

The proposed new ground will occupy twice the area—about 12,000 sq meters. Hategeka said PSF may consider looking for bigger space elsewhere to match the ITEP project.

If the Expo has to be located at Gikondo grounds, PSF will perhaps have to face the wrath of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (Rema) because it is a wetland. According to Commerce ministry (Minicom) and Rema, all establishments in Gikondo Industrial Area will have to relocate to gazetted industrial zones because the area is a wetland.

Asked how PSF will handle the issue of ITEP project in the Gikondo wetland with REMA, John Bosco Kalisa, the Director of Trade and Integration at PSF said: "Spacial Solution will also produce an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report on how to well-manage the area.”

With membership contributions plus all other sources of PSF revenues, it certainly cannot finance the ITEP project alone. The federation expects financial support in the project from the government and donors.

 "We intend to lobby the government and donors for financial support for the project,” said Kalisa. On a positive note, the Secretary General of Minicom, Justin Nsengiyumva disclosed during a press briefing that, "the government has allocated some funds in 2007/08 budget for the constructing an international exposition ground”.

According to ITEP plan, immediately after the two phases, the development phase will set in, which involves awarding tender to the constructor, and ground breaking would start February next year.

In organizing the Expo, a substantial amount—about 20 per cent -- goes to hiring tents and constructing makeshifts that are used as exhibition stands.

This so costly, according to Hategeka compared to world-class permanent stands that will be built in the ITEP project.

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