Millions collected as PSF unveils elite business club

About Rwf500m has been collected from the Rwanda business elite as a membership fee to join “Golden Circle” – a clique of high-ranking business entrepreneurs.The Golden Circle, a network of business people, is a platform that provides an opportunity for constructive dialogue among businesses.It is also an exclusive networking club that brings together CEO’s from Rwanda’s private sector to foster economic growth throughout the country and the East African region.The elite business clique was launched last week by the Private Sector Federation (PSF) at a ceremony that attracted government officials and well-to-do businesses entrepreneurs in the country.According to PSF, the group will discuss and champion issues on doing business, public-private partnership, policy reforms and regional integration.“The Golden Circle is a new initiative that provides a forum to discussion issues affecting businesses in the country and how they can be addressed,” said Alphonsine Niyigena, the PSF chairperson.The network also seeks to enhance innovations that ensure job-creation and develop gender sensitive programmes.One pays membership between Rwf5m and Rwf25m to join the exclusive club.Dodo Twahirwa, the Rwanda Federation Transport Cooperative (RFTC) director, said the initiative is a great opportunity to foster partnerships that would expand their businesses, while offering better services.“I used to work alone, but this initiative will help me improve on customer care services and service delivery since we will be working as a team,” he noted.One of the key pillars of Rwanda’s Vision 2020 is private sector-led development spearheaded by competitiveness and entrepreneurship, which is the principle behind the creation of the Golden Circle. “This is an enriching forum, where ideas about development, policy and economic growth can be shared and implemented,” Edmond Mukeka, the manager of Bricotech, a hardware company, told the Business Times in an interview.Speaking at the occasion, Francois Kanimba, the Trade and Industry Minister, was optimistic the network would boost the private sector in Rwanda.“We are proud of this initiative because it promotes the growth of our economy since the private sector is the country’s engine to achieving the Vision 2020 goals,” he noted.Kanimba urged the business community to focus on providing quality services.