Members of the business community have been urged to embrace professionalism, innovation and efficiency, as the private sector takes to polls to vote for new leadership.

Benjamin Gasamagera, the Chairman of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), said the national exercise which kicks off today is expected to last for three weeks and will be conducted at sector, district and national level across the country.

"This exercise is part of our constitutional mandate which stipulates that the federation elects new leadership every three years and we are optimistic and confident that it will bring onboard more competent people that will help improve the business environment and drive the federation’s economic objectives, ” Gasamagera, said, during a press briefing in Kigali yesterday.

Gasamagera noted that the priority is to go beyond advocacy and embrace self regulation through the various associations and chambers to contribute to national development.

PSF members will elect executive business committee leaders of the various associations and chambers before the general assembly elections begin.

"We are expecting more than 2000 members to participate in this exercise,” Yvette Mukarwema, the Chief operations officer, told The New Times.

The Private Sector Federation - Rwanda (PSF) is a professional organisation established in 1999 to promote and represent interests of the business community.

Business community optimistic

Mutesi Josephine, a Kigali based business woman, expects the new leadership to engage policy makers on issues of taxes, access to electricity, market and other business constraints.

"The new leaders should help advocate for a more improved business environment that will empower the private sector drive home their economic objectives,” Mutesi told this publication.