Ministry of Trade and Industry holds 4th

The private sector in Rwanda is dominated by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), comprising 98% of the businesses (both formal and informal) and 41% of all private sector employment. Most micro , small and medium enterprises employ up to 100 people, indicating that growth in the sector would create significant private sector non-agricultural employment opportunities. To promote growth of the sector, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) established a Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) forum. This is in line with SMEs development policy, strategic programs of the Ministry, Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy II (EDPRS II), Vision 2020 and other Government programs especially those focusing on Private Sector Development.

Held twice every year, the 4th SMEs forum took place on May 19th at the Lemigo Hotel. The forum attracted around 200 entrepreneurs from fish, essential oil, macadamia, spices, eco-tourism, wheat clusters and various other stakeholders including Embassies, International Development Partners, NGOs and Financial Institutions.

Speaking to the press during the SME forum, Hon. Francois Kanimba, Minister of Trade and Industry, said that the forum was critical in promoting SMEs growth in the country mainly because it offered relevant stakeholders a platform to come together to find solutions for the sector’s growth.