A delegation of top business executives from Kenya on Friday arrived in Kigali to attend the first Rwanda-Kenya Business Forum scheduled for tomorrow. President Paul Kagame is expected to grace the event that will be attended by over 200 business executives from both the Rwanda and Kenya private sector communities. The forum which is aimed at enhancing investment ties between Rwanda and Kenya has been organized by the Ministry of East African affairs. Ambassador Valentine Rugwabiza, the Minister of East African Affairs, told the press on Friday afternoon that the forum is an opportunity for the business community to exploit the current warm diplomatic ties between Kenya and Rwanda. Kiprono Kittony, Chairman of the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry said he has led a delegation of 34 business executives and their expectations are high in the outcomes of the forum. Benjamin Gasamagera, Chairman of the Private Sector Federation, says the forum will help get Rwandan entrepreneurs closer to learn from their Kenyan counterparts how to become more competitive. Kenya’s investments in Rwanda are estimated to be over US$440 million registered over the past decade and the forum is expected to clear the way for Rwandan investors to find their way to the Kenyan market through partnerships and mergers. Minister Rugwabiza added that the forum is a welcome development that will benefit from the ongoing regional integration efforts such as the Northern Corridor infrastructure projects that are aimed at improving inter-connectivity among the countries for easier trade.
