Arbitration centre is a great initiative

Editor,  I read with keen interest the commentary in the latest issue of Sunday Times, titled “Keep business out of courts.”

Monday, January 07, 2013
The Kigali International Arbitration Centre is expected to help resolve commercial disputes, thus reducing the number of cases that end up in commercial courts. The New Times/File.

Editor,  I read with keen interest the commentary in the latest issue of Sunday Times, titled "Keep business out of courts.”Kudos to the Rwanda Private Sector Federation for their great initiative in establishing the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC). It is important to keep business out of courts as far as possible, and certainly this move, on the part of PSF, is commendable.The Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC), a 106 year old Premier Chamber of Commerce and Industry, strongly advocates arbitration as a means of settling disputes which invariably arise in business. Likewise, the formation of the KIAC in Rwanda will reduce the number of man hours which would have otherwise been lost in courts.The chartered course in arbitration, offered by KIAC, is a move in the right direction and this will enable many in this great country to equip themselves with an internationally recognised certificate in arbitration.At the start of this New Year, please allow me to wish the PSF every success with their KIAC initiative. Having already signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with them, we at the IMC, would be happy to offer whatever assistance they might need and what is possible in the months ahead.Clarence FernandesCo-ChairmanTravel & Tourism CommitteeIndian Merchants’ Chamber