TWENTY exhibitors from Rwanda will showcase investment opportunities in energy, mining and financial sectors at the Royal Institute of British Architects in central London.The one-day event is organised by the Rwanda Diaspora Investment (RDI) in partnership with the Rwandan Embassy in London and Riepa.“We are targeting to interest investors in our financial sector,” said Akamanzi. “London has become the leading financial hub beating the Unite States.”Planners of this country want to end the energy question which has slowed down economic development partly because the country faces substantial energy shortage. An investment guide to Rwanda published last October says only five per cent of the population is connected to the electricity network, and these are mainly in Kigali. It states however, that Electrogaz is not in a position to satisfy even this limited demand.The theme for Rwanda Expo in Europe is “Unveiling a new Rwanda to the World.” A statement from London reads: “London is the undisputed deal-making centre and financial capital of the world and there is a lot of capital here looking for investment exit to emerging markets. We want to position Rwanda as one of the best and well-managed emerging markets in Africa.” The expo aims at bringing together the Rwandan business community with their European counterpart to exchange ideas, discuss mutual projects and build long-term business networks and partnerships. The event is also intended to give the opportunity to Rwandan companies and agencies to promote their products and services, not only to the increasingly influential Rwandan Diaspora community, but also to EU markets and to promote Rwanda as a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and tourist destination.According to a press statement, on the sidelines of the investment conference, there will be an exhibition of Rwandan products and services to expose them to the European consumers.The exhibition is also expected to attract high-profile political and corporate leaders from both Rwanda and EU. The organisers also say the conference will be dedicated to explaining Rwanda’s investment climate, opportunities and incentives to EU investors. This will be through speeches and presentations by corporate and government leaders and there will be one-on-one meetings and deal-making opportunities. “We are determined to completely reverse our country’s image here as war-ravaged, ethnically divided and an object of charity, to a country ready and capable to conducting serious business with the rest of the world,” said an RDI official.Ends
