Rwanda was among the countries that showcased its art and crafts at the second China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTS), an event which attracted more than 100,000 visitors to the capital, Beijing. 

The four-day fair closed at the weekend. 

It attracted participants from Rwanda, Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tunisia and Zimbabwe under one African pavilion, organised and managed by the Group of African Ambassadors spouses chaired by Anne Marie Ngarambe, wife of Rwandan Ambassador to China. 

The awards

The African embassies used the opportunity to exhibit products from their respective countries, mainly arts and hand crafts, according to a statement from the embassy. 

"Rwandan products were highly appreciated and a wonderful performance by Rwandan students’ cultural troupe performance ignited the atmosphere; both contributed a lot to making the African group officially declared and awarded as best exhibitor,” the statement said. 

The award ceremony was presided over by Gu Xiulian, the chairperson of All China Women Federation and former vice chairperson of the National People’s Congress of China. 

The fair

Ngarambe received the award on behalf of the African group.    

CIFTIS is the first comprehensive platform specialising in the trade in services around the world.  

It is organised by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, with support by the World Trade Organisation, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

The CIFTIS covers the 12 sectors of trade in services defined by the WTO, including business, communication, construction and related engineering services, distribution and education.