Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency (Riepa) is seeking to increase the country’s export volume and value through continuous dialogues with exporters.

This was revealed in the first ever brainstorming meeting between Riepa and Rwanda’s exporters on Tuesday at Aberdeen House in Nyarutarama.

The session was to provide solutions to export barriers and also suggest incentive packages to improve exports.

Francis Gatare, the Director General of Riepa said that dialoguing is vital for having a common understanding amongst stakeholders.

"It helps set realistic export targets, address export barriers and underscores incentive packages that help to increase exports,” he explained.

He added that, "Exports are crucial for economic development….each export contributes greatly to the achievement of economic development and poverty reduction.”

This comes when Rwanda is targeting $425.5m (Frw234.5b) in exports by 2012. Last year the county’s exports were $202m (Frw111.6b) but government plans to increase the figure to $234m (frw129b) this year.

Tourism, coffee and tea are the country’s main exports and highest foreign exchange earners.

The move also comes just two months after the launch of an export guide and Rwanda Competitiveness and Export Fund (RWACEF), also seeking to boost exports.

Tony Nsanganira, the Director of Export Promotion Department said export barriers arouse concerns from exporters thereby calling for more discussions on export promotion.

Emmanuel Munyamahoro, an official in Reipa’s Export Promotion Department said government has always committed itself to allocating significant resources for export development.

He said the allocation of these resources is driven by policies. Some of the policies include reinforcement of existing export sectors, incubation of new export sectors and focusing on high value.

They also include innovative products and services since high costs are associated with exporting products.

The meeting attracted different exporters from all sectors such as agriculture and crafts and export stakeholders such Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA).

It was expected that a report from the discussion shall be drafted with plans for action.

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