Rwandans are to exhibit the country’s trade potentials at the planned Africa Heads of State Summit in Yokohama City, Japan, top government officials have said. The conference to be held between the 28th to the 30th of May, this year, is intended to address Africa’s developmental issues. Government officials say they are to use this chance to woo investors and forge business partners. Vincent Karega, State minister for Industry and Investment Promotion said since its inception, The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) has provided fundamental and comprehensive policies and guidelines on African development. Given the fact that the summit also handles trade and investment issues, Claire Akamanzi, the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotions (Riepa), deputy director general said a trade exhibition has been organised and Rwanda’s participation has been confirmed. She said exhibitors from Ocir café—the Rwanda coffee authority, Ocir Tea—the tea authority and Rwanda National Office of Tourism Promotion (ORTPN) will represent the country at the summit exhibition. This comes when Rwanda has been recently voted the best tourism exhibitor at international fairs in Europe for the second year running. Karega said TICAD was launched to have and promote advanced policy discussions between African leaders and development partners. Africa owning its development as well as of the ‘partnership’ between Africa and the international community is usually encouraged. The co-organisers are United Nations’ office of the Special Advisor on Africa and United Nations Developmental Programme (UNDP) among other African development partners. Karega was therefore optimistic the summit will boost the country’s efforts towards achieving economic development.Ends
