Actors in the private sector in Rwanda are upbeat about the benefits they will derive from the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF), which is one of the key events to be held on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The business forum is scheduled for June 21-23 at the Kigali Exhibition Conference and Exhibition Village (KECV). It is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates. CBF delegates from across 54-member states of the Commonwealth will range from government officials, angel investors, bankers, venture capitalists and top executives for major corporations. Other participants include Champions of Youth Entrepreneurship. Théoneste Ntagengerwa, the Spokesperson of the Private Sector Federation, said that beyond the networking opportunity that business persons will get, they should also be prepared to create and cement long-term partnerships. It will also present an opportunity for one to grow their market or supply chain because there will be people who have what you need or need what you have and the knowledge that will be acquired as they engage with one another, he said. However, he added that business people need to be ready to package their products and pitch their ideas, its not about how small or big the company is, but rather about how clear your vision is and the ability to present it. Members of Private Sector Federation follow a presentation during their meeting with Rwanda Development Board ahead of the upcoming CHOGM on April 27. / Craish Bahizi On top of that, he noted, they must be informed beforehand about which sessions are relevant to their businesses and map participants who might be potential partners and organize accordingly. The CBF is organized through a partnership between Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. For Junis Mukanyandwi, founder of Everything Art, a company that makes leather products, the CBF is a great platform to showcase her products internationally and generate different ideas from various competitive minds that will help her improve and add value to her work. One might be able to obtain market in other countries, and I look forward to additional knowledge to share with other women I work with, she noted. Christian Ndagijimana, a young entrepreneur, expects the forum to link local and international businesses and discuss current global economic issues such as inflation. It is a good opportunity to have a meaningful conversation and find strategies that will help us advance in our different sectors. It will bring together business delegates from developed, developing and low-income countries, said Ndagijimana, the Managing Director of Grand Legacy Hotel. More than 300 regional business leaders are set to attend the CBF, according to John Bosco Kalisa, CEO of the East African Business Council (EABC). Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of RDB said the CBF platform will have cross-cutting topics ranging from trade innovation, impact investing models, climate change, health, sustainable tourism, and travel.
