Preparations for Rwanda International Trade Fair (RITF), commonly known as the Rwanda Expo, scheduled for August 28, 2008 have begun. Preparations for the 12-day expo have began early in order to cope with the new design of the fair’s venue.

"The Private Sector Federation (PSF) has hired Exhibitions and Events Organizers Ltd, a Kenyan based company, to give something new, something innovative, something exciting—to the exhibitors and goers, both local and international,” said Ephrem Karangwa, the Trade Fairs and Promotion Manager at PSF on Thursday.

In an exclusive interview, Karangwa said the site for the fair is to be designed with paved walkways. For the gardens, Plantor S.A.R.L., a professional gardening company, has been hired. He added that all exhibitors will be accommodated in two giant tents, and there will be 138 standard stands in each.

"If the number exceeds space in the two giant tents, we have made provision of two more giant tents. This time there’ll be no more open or isolated stands. All exhibitors will be in tents,” he announced.

Karangwa further said the rates are affordable by all standards. For a local exhibitor, a square meter, he says, will go for Frw50,000 to rent a standard 9-square-meter stand per day. For foreign exhibitors, a square meter will go for $150 (Frw82,000).

Karangwa explained that "awareness campaign starts next week but new international exhibitors from Germany, France, China, Dubai (UAE) and Iran have confirmed participation.”

"For the first time, the American Embassy in Rwanda and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will also be exhibiting.”

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