Brazzaville trade fair postponed

A trade show featuring Rwanda companies slated to take place from May 28 to 30, 2011 in Congo Brazzaville has been postponed until next month. The exhibition is organised by the Private Sector Federation (PSF), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), RwandAir and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. “The Parliament of Congo Brazzaville will be holding a big function at the grounds where we had planned to hold the event,” the Acting Director of Investments and Special Projects at PSF, Ephraim Karangwa, told Business Times on Wednesday. The exhibition is in line with Government’s efforts to promote the country’s products in regional markets. Karangwa said 64 exhibitors had confirmed their participation, 30 of whom would be sponsored by the Government. During the trade fair, Rwanda will be represented by Inyange Industries, SULFO, URWIBUTSO, OCIR-Cafe and OCIR-The. Others will be drawn from the handcrafts, ICT amongst other sectors. The trade fair further provides a platform business community from both countries would interact in search in search of market opportunities. RwandAir’s Chief Executive Officer, John Mirenge, said the new development would not affect their initial plans. “It was about the expo site which is going to be used by the government of Congo around the same time. For us to have a successful trade fare, we need that ground and we are grateful it was communicated in time,” Mirenge explained. URWIBUTSO’s Managing Director, Gerard Sina, said his company would similarly not be affected. “It would be even heartbreaking if we were told upon arriving in Brazzaville but we were told in time,” Sina observed. “It is a huge opportunity for Rwandan traders to showcase their products to these markets,” he said. With a population of over five million people, Congo-Brazzaville is rich in petroleum that contributes over 70 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the country imports most of its products from Europe. Ends

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Brazzaville trade fair postponed