RDB unveils business portal

A web-based tool that provides investment information in Sub-Saharan Africa has been launched to help arm local and international investors with vital trade statistics and viable business ventures in the region. The Investment Monitoring Portal (IMP), hosted on www.investment.unido.org, which was developed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with Microsoft Corporation, and Rwanda Development Board (RDB), is expected to be fully functional by February. “The IMP will support RDB’s existing initiative to measure and monitor trends in investment flows, as well as their impact on the Rwandan economy. From this, relevant institutions shall advocate evidence-based policies and be in a better position to attract quality investors,” Vivian Kayitesi, RDB’s Head of Investment Promotion, said, yesterday, during the launch of the p[ortal in Kigali. She added that, last year, RDB and UNIDO conducted an initial survey about investor perception on 200 companies, whose outcome was uploaded on the portal to showcase productive sectors in the economy. The survey was also conducted in 19 other Sub-Saharan countries. “The main objective was for RDB to adopt a more pro-active role as an agent of development as well as to attract quality investments and to eventually mobilize supportive business services,” Kayitesi said. Mithat Kulur, the Chief of Investment and Technology in UNIDO, said that data to update the IMP tool will be collected annually to help provide investors with urgent information to make informed business decisions. “It will help prospective investors and the regulators to understand the performance of the trading industry, identify partners, as well as understand customers’ expectations. They will then enter the market with a clear view of the regulations and requirements,” Kulur said. François Kanimba, the Minister of Trade and Industry, said that the portal will complement existing structures aimed at reducing bureaucracy and to inform investors and other stakeholders about the dynamics of the economy. RDB plans to undertake another survey in 2012 involving 500 companies. ivan.mugisha@newtimes.co.rw

National

RDB unveils business portal