The 17th Rwanda International Trade Fair has attracted over 330 exhibitors from 15 countries, 78 of which are foreign companies, according to the Private Sector Federation.

The expo is being organised by the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. It kicks off tomorrow and will run until August 6 at the Gikondo Expo Grounds in Kicukiro, Kigali. 

Officials at PSF said firms from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Iran, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Poland will participate in the annual event.

Like the past exhibitions, the fair will also be a multi-sectoral trade event that will enhance business exchanges among participating international and local exhibitors, Hannington Namara, the PSF chief executive officer, said.

"This year’s expo offers an excellent platform and a business window to manufacturers and service providers targeting to bring new investments into the country or expand their businesses within the region and beyond. It is also an avenue for showcasing and launching new and improved technologies in the market,” Namara explained.

He said products from the telecom sector and IT sectors, agricultural equipment, construction and housing material, textiles and cultural and tourism items will be showcased. Others are handcrafts, furniture and foods and beverages, among others.

PSF officials said the number of exhibition stands have almost doubled from 400 last year to 732 this year. The show is expected to attract over 250,00 of showgoers during the two-week fete. The fair attracted about 230,000 showgoers last year, according to PSF.