EXPO VENTE, the first-of-its-kind sales exhibition in the country, has opened its doors to the public in Giporoso, a suburb of Kigali City.

The exhibition started yesterday, September 21 and runs until October 19, coinciding with performances by various Gospels artistes.

The trade fair is organised by YBP&Co Ltd, a company owned by Rwandan Gospel artiste Honoray Iyakaremye. The company deals in business promotions: sales and marketing and events management.

Speaking at the press conference on Tuesday, Iyakaremye said that the exhibition showcases beautifully designed clothes to give Rwandans an opportunity to acquire the best fabrics at the lowest prices.

"People are able to buy fancy clothes at only Rwf3,000 and even less, with 70 percent off. And, so far, I have noticed a tremendous response from people as they throng the venue to buy clothes,” Iyakaremye said.”

Iyakaremye noted that the exhibition’s objective is to encourage Gospel artistes to create jobs and improve their investments.

"Gospel artistes, too, can do business as long as this does not affect their relationship with God. They have to work to earn a decent living and also support those in need,” Iyakaremye said.

"We like to have the opportunity to buy clothes. Although, the prices are very low, the designs inspired me,” Rosette Umutoni, a mother of three, and a Remera resident said.

Another Remera resident, Sandrine Uwera, rated the designs excellent and, the prices too low for such garments. "It’s good to see such an exhibition in Rwanda, and the prices are affordable,” she noted.

Iyakaremye went to England in September 2004 and enrolled at Deep Blue Sound University based in Plymouth to study Sound Engineering.

"I went to the UK because I wanted to study music and improve my career. However, I am a Gospel artiste and I do not intend to become a secular singer,” Iyakaremye said.

He released his first track ‘Ubugingo bushya’ in 2002, which became a hit single and propelled him into the limelight. Today, Iyakaremye is a professional artiste and has a new album dubbed ‘Amen.’

However, Iyakaremye believes that Rwanda’s music industry has improved and he vows to chip into to the budding industry.

"The local music industry has improved compared to how it was in 2004, but more efforts are needed to make it better,” Iyakaremye noted.

"KWETU Film Institute is going to open a music section. So I will be teaching music to provide potential artistes with professional skills to improve their talent,” he added.

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