The 24th edition of Rwanda International Trade Fair alias Expo Rwanda is expected to reflect how entrepreneurs and their businesses strived during this pandemic, according to officials from the Private Sector Federation (PSF). The annual trade fair, which usually takes place in August is slated for December 9 to 30 at Gikondo Expo Grounds. Speaking to The New Times, Theonetse Ntagengerwa, spokesperson of PSF, so far 14 countries have confirmed their attendance and it is expected that the total won’t go below 20 countries. He also said that at least 400 exhibitors are expected. “We have more than 800 exhibition stands but sometimes one entrepreneur may occupy more than one but according to our previous experiences, they (exhibitors) won’t be less the 400,” he added. According to him, children below 12 years will be allowed at the compound to enjoy the different entertainment facilities, which is contrary to how last year’s exhibition was conducted. On whether the visitors will be requested to show a certificate of vaccination, he said “We consider this expo in form of a marketplace, unless there are some changes in guidelines, people will come as they normally go to market places. What we do is to help them adhere to usual measures.” PSF calls on businesses with different innovations to register as many as possible for this exhibition opportunity, especially those that might have not had the chance of exposure during this pandemic. Tickets payment will be made through mobile money platforms and further management details, he said, will depend on the guidelines that will be put in place by that time. Shedding light on when the Made in Rwanda Expo that usually takes place in December is scheduled, Ntagengerwa said that they are in discussions with their partners to agree when it can also take place. Last year’s Expo happened under strict Covid-19 measures which saw a decline in foreign attendance, much that many countries had travel restrictions.
