At PSF, doors are wide open for entrepreneurs

Editor, IN THE article, “Women entrepreneurs share business tips from Turkey”, published in The New Times on March 27, I would like to make some clarifications on Jessie Kalisa Umutoni’s comments. I would like to begin by informing her, and all others, that PSF (Private sector Federation) played a key role in organising the trip to Turkey in partnership with Rwanda Active Businessmen Association (RWABA) and the Confederation of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (CTBI). PSF took direct responsibility for mobilisation and registration of members, and also negotiation of discounts of air tickets for travel. Apart from this last mission to Turkey, and multiple others that were conducted in 2013 by PSF in partnership with various stakeholders including the Ministry of Trade and RDB, PSF has organised two different, but similar, trade missions to Congo Brazzaville and Ghana from which Rwandan businessmen and women have benefitted. PSF is also planning for regional and international trade missions that are scheduled within the next nine months. From the perspective of seeking out business people, PSF has carried out several outreach campaigns in all districts by mobilising them to join the “Indashyikirwa” (District Champions) category at their level. In addition to PSF members, several other business operators have heard about this campaign, and have set themselves up to join their respective categories. More work needs to be done by PSF, and it is indeed being carried out. A lot can be achieved when business operators have the will to become members in an effort to support their federation, and make it stronger and more vibrant. The strong private sector federations that are admired in other countries, including Turkey, receive almost all support from their members, unlike ours which receives support from few members who understand the importance of the Secretariat. However, this is a trend that is quickly changing thanks to the dedication of the members we currently have onboard. It is common knowledge that some business operators have little information about what is being done for (and with) the business community and this lack of information arises from the simple fact that they are not PSF members. PSF is still open to all those who have useful suggestions on how best it can offer even more practical services to the general business community, because in the end, we are all serving our country, Rwanda. Maureen Twahirwa,Head of Communication & Marketing (PSF), Rwanda

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At PSF, doors are wide open for entrepreneurs