The One Village One Product (OVOP) Programme, with technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged to nurture more than 3,000 businesses by 2014.

This was disclosed by JICA Rwanda during the Rubavu mini exhibition that has attracted 13 business groups affiliated to the OVOP Programme.

The OVOP programme is a business support scheme implemented under the Rwanda small and medium enterprises development policy aimed at empowering local communities to develop value added products, with technical support from the JICA.

"This will impact on poverty reduction through development of small and medium scale industries, creation of sustainable employment opportunities and increase volume of diversified products meeting quality standards,” JICA said in a statement.

The beneficiaries will acquire skills such as accounting and stock management, which will help them to run their daily business activities.

The trade fair was organised by the Private Sector Federation (PSF), and drew Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives dealing in farming, food processing and handcrafts from the Western Province.

These business groups from the four target districts including Huye, Nyagatare, Musanze and Rubavu, were appraised through the OVOP business support system for enough potential to take advantage of the trade fair to market and sell their products.

The statement says these business groups undertook an intensive training session in basic business management skills provided under the human resources development pillar under the OVOP programme.

The expo gives traders an opportunity to understand and identify market demand, consumers’ preference and subsequent necessary product development to meet market requirements in terms of quality.

Ends