By Stevenson Mugisha
The Private Sector Federation (PSF), in conjunction with of Rwanda farmers, is organizing a three-day Agri-business trade mission in Goma, DR Congo.
A statement from PSF says the mission – which will commence on August 24 – is aimed at formalizing and facilitating cross-border trade between the two countries.
“The three-day agri-business trade mission will bring together traders from Rwanda and Goma to discuss trade partnership, formalize trade between the two countries, as well as sharing market opportunities that the two countries have,” reads the statement.
A recent study conducted by the ministry of trade and industry (MINICOM) on informal cross border trade estimated that informal exports and imports in 2010 were approximately US$47m and US$21m respectively.
The report also indicated that informal exports were 26% of formal exports with bordering countries, and roughly two-thirds of this trade was with DR Congo.
The objectives of this trade mission is to identify market opportunities for Rwandan products in DRC, facilitate and promote cross-border trade by assisting exporters, and optimizing trade infrastructure.
It is also to establish trade agreements and strengthen preferential market access linkages between producers and traders in both countries, and reducing the cost of trade to improve competitiveness of Rwandan goods in neighbouring markets.
Participants
50 agribusiness companies like Kinazi cassava plant, Inyange Industries, Freshpark, Urwibutso Enterprise, Agasaro Organic Company, Shekina Enterprise, etc, will participate in this trade mission.
These companies will showcase Rwandan agricultural products. Bananas, dairy and livestock products and grains will be drawn from the Eastern Province, whereas Irish potatoes and vegetables will be from North and Western Provinces.
A number of activities will be carried out during the trade mission. They include a conference, exhibitions signing of memorandum of understanding and business-to-business meetings.