Entrepreneurs in the informal sector should contribute toward creation of more off-farm jobs, Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi has said.

Murekezi was speaking at the opening of the 15th Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition at Gikondo expo grounds on Wednesday.

The Premier said the exhibition, which has attracted entrepreneurs from the East African Community (EAC), offers an opportunity to stimulate job creation and enhance sharing of experiences.

Organised under the theme: "Developing the Micro and Small Enterprises Sector for Sustainable Regional Integration and Economic Growth”, the exhibition has drawn 1,000 innovators from the five EAC states.

"It is a platform for East African entrepreneurs to enhance inter-regional trade partnerships and share experiences,” Murekezi said.

The expo aims at helping exhibitors to open up new markets for their products while bridging the technological gaps.

The Premier said there is need for more efforts to address unemployment among the youth and women by empowering small and medium enterprises.

Rwanda targets 11.5 per cent of GDP growth per annum and creation of 200,000 new off-farm jobs annually under the Economic Development and Poverty Eradication Strategy (EDPRS2).

One of the strategies that government put in place to achieve this is the focus on Technical, Vocational Education and Training.

Optimism

Jacques Nshimiye, one of the exhibitors from Expert Motor Vocational Training Centre, said the exhibition offers students the necessary exposure to compete in the region.

Ezidore Nzeyimana, who has invented an energy saving cooking stove said he expected to learn a lot through sharing experience and ideas.

Another exhibitor, Elias Mabiria from Kenya said the exhibition enabled him expand his business of special liquid soaps.

Officials from the private sector federation say the exhibition has greatly improved in terms of number of attendants, quality and variety of goods on display.

Benjamin Gasamagera, the board chairman of the federation said the informal sector complements other sectors of the economy in revenue collection and job creation.

On display are arts and crafts, textile, metal works, woodwork, electrical and electronic products, cosmetics, and products from leather and herbal medicine sub-sectors.

The last exhibition was hosted by Kenya. The exhibition which started on Monday will end on December 8.

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