Over 15,000 showgoers braved bad weather to attend the just-concluded Rwanda Business Week exhibition in Bujunbura, Burundi.About 36 Rwandan companies exhibited products and services during the four-day trade show.The event was jointly organised by the Rwanda Development Board and Rwanda’s embassy in Bujumbura. It aimed at developing and strengthening business partnerships between Rwandan and Burundian businesses to increase the volume and value of trade between the two countries. Eusebe Muhikira, the Rwanda Development Board head of trade and manufacturing, thanked the participants for their enthusiasm and for making the exhibition a success. "We hope this collaboration will contribute greatly to our economic aspiration to boost exports into the region,” he said of the event that was held at the Musée Vivant.The exhibition helped some firms identify business partners in Burundi. "The market is promising and open to Rwandan products and Burundian businesses are keen to work with us,” noted Jessie Kalisa Umutoni, one of the exhibitors and the chief executive officer of chalk maker, G-Mart. The Rwanda Business Week was marked by various activities such the exhibition, business meetings and a concert. Muhikira said RDB would conduct a survey to assess the impact of the event and use the outcome to develop an action plan on how to increase exports in Africa and beyond through such events. The trade mission was organised in line with the East African Community integration process in which countries can showcase and market their products in the region. Companies such as BRALIRWA, Inyange Industries and Kinazi Cassava Plant participated.