Business at the ongoing International Trade Expo at Gikondo Showground in Kicukiro has been low, with exhibitors saying buyers were few. 

The organisers, Private Sector Federation (PSF), had projected that up to 270,000 people would visit the expo this year, an increase from 265,000 showgoers last year.

However, exhibitors told The New Times over the weekend that there have been few buyers over the past 10 days compared to the previous year.

Robert Kamau, a Kenyan trader who also participated at last year’s trade fair, said this year’s event had not attracted many clients.

"There are few people coming to the expo,” Kamau said, adding that presently, women and children were the majority.

Kamau also complained that exhibitors, like him who parted with $1,350 (Rwf1 million) for space, were at a disadvantage as there were traders selling similar items outside the main tent, who paid between Rwf150,000 and Rwf200,000 for stalls.

He is selling shoes at the expo that ends on August 12 this week.

Caroline Khaukha, a textiles trader from Uganda, said business at the expo is low so far, adding that many of the people were just ‘window shopping’ and not buying anything.

"So far, I haven’t sold many items, but I hope the situation changes in the few remaining days,” she said.

Ritu Singh, an Indian textiles trader, said she has got a sizeable number of buyers, especially those that love Indian fabrics and shoes. She said they got few buyers during the weekdays, but the turn up increased over the weekend.

Hannah Wanjiku, a Kenyan trader, is optimistic that with children now in holidays, the number of showgoers may go up as the exhibition nears closure.

"Business is down, but we are patient and hopeful that we will get more buyers in the remaining days of the trade fair,” she said.

Hassan Ahmer, an Egyptian jewelry exhibitor, however, said the high dollar rate this year has taken a huge toll on traders.

He said, last year, the exchange rate was about Rwf650 to the dollar, but presently stands at between Rwf770 and Rwf800 per dollar. This, he said, is hurting their profits.

"Apart from this, I would say business here is good compared to other African countries where I have participated in trade fairs,” he noted.

business@newtimes.co.rw