Rwanda is set to host a major world bamboo and rattan conference. This was revealed by the Exhibitions and Fairs Manager of the Rwanda Pavilion in the ongoing Shanghai World Expo, in China.

Ephrem Karangwa, the Pavilion Director, made the announcement after a delegation from the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) visited the Rwanda stand.  The delegation is in Shanghai for a  two-day INBAR congress.

"The 2010 General Assembly of INBAR will be held in Rwanda, probably in October or November,” Karangwa said. "The visit of that delegation to our stand is very significant.”

The visitors included Dr. Noah Wekesa, the Kenyan Minister of Forests and Wildlife and Rose Gahiru, Burundi’s Minister of Vocational Education and Literacy.

INBAR is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental benefits of bamboo and rattan – two important non-wood forest products that support the livelihood of millions of people worldwide.

Karangwa said the Rwanda pavilion also received a potential investor from Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Iftikhar, Managing Director of Crown Engineering, a company that manufactures agricultural machinery, steel structures and fuel tanks.

"The company has branches in China and Canada and would like to invest in our country in the agriculture sector, but the MD is open to any other investment opportunity the country may offer. This information has been forwarded to RDB for follow up,” Karangwa noted.

The World Expo is organized every five years and Rwanda has participated in the last two editions.

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