Early last week, the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency (Riepa) in collaboration with the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF) launched a new gateway to global trade electronic information networks.

For Rwanda to become an ICT hub in the East African Region, one of the suggestions was, all stakeholders in trade be linked internationally by a single electronic window.

According Tony Roberto Nsanganira, the trade point Rwanda manager, participants will be linked virtually to a single portal worldwide; World Trade Point Federation (WTPF)—possessing trade information of all members.

The concept was introduced in February 1992 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), for providing international trade opportunities.

The emphasis was towards Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development, by simplifying, harmonising trade procedures and reducing the procedural cost involved.

Since its introduction, the programme has encouraged countries to establish their own trade points in order to promote international traded among SMEs by providing easy and affordable access to trade information, facilitation services and trade networks.

Rwanda’s Trade Point is to help SMEs develop just like the WTPF’s objective. The PSF’s Business Development Service (BDS) centres will help provide these services to SMEs.

The amalgamation of BDS centres and the Trade Point was to minimise operational costs and make information more accessible for SMEs.

Francis Gatare, the director general of Riepa said the system will facilitate the internal and international business community with trade information, which platform offers the possibility under a single roof to do commercial transactions.

Because of interactions amongst members, Rwanda’s SMEs and its trading opportunities will get international exposure at WTPF web page. This will attract investors and improve the performance of SMEs as they will be able to participate in trade-related seminars and on-line fairs.

The trade point also offers members with maximum exhaustion of new technologies over a single information centre by bringing products and services faster to the desired customers. This on-line promotional service is likely to promote Rwanda’s products, which in turn will boost the country’s export revenues.

Vincent Karega, State minister for industry and investment promotion said it will ease export promotion efforts as well as minimising costs.

This is justified. WFPT offers a Global Trade Directory System (GTDS), which is a unique promotion tool for all the members looking to increase participation in the international trade. It has directories of producers, importers, exporters, trading companies, consulting companies provided by each trade point attached.

Part of the information will be about advisory, training and support services for local, European and international programmes and projects, which bring a new understanding for marketing, supply networks, services and undertaking possibilities, thus saving time and money.

All these services related to international trade transactions are a big push towards the country’s capacity building efforts.

Just like minister Karega said "Rwanda as a first growing economy needs such up-to-date initiatives to realize Vision 2020, " it is justifiably right that Rwanda will stand to benefit from the trade point programme.

However, what could slow the programmes’ progress is poor infrastructure and lack of technical skills by users and BDS staff. If this is catered for as promised by PSF and Riepa, the country is expected to benefit.

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