A special call for the private sector to invest in research to produce good quality products, sharing best practices and knowledge in agriculture, particularly farming, export of goods and services, was made last week during ‘The Trade and Investment Conference’ between Rwanda and Botswana. The two-day event was held on the 28th and 29th of April, where the public and private sector players from both countries, were given a platform to explore present trade and investment opportunities. During the conference, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by Claire Akamanzi, the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Keletsositse Olebile, CEO of Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, to enhance cooperation between the two institutions. In her remarks, Akamanzi said that trade between both countries is still low and called upon the private and public sectors to utilise present opportunities. She highlighted the zeal, enthusiasm and readiness from Rwanda’s private sector to collaborate in a wide range of areas. Vincent Biruta, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that, Rwanda and Botswana enjoy a strong bond of friendship with cooperation at all levels that begins at the top leadership of both nations. Biruta urged private sector players from both countries to build on the momentum of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation and the Trade and Investment Conference. The Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Botswana, Lemogang Kwape, said that the investment conference provides a platform for the business community to engage and identify areas of mutual interest to grow their respective economies. Olebile said that, “we refer to Rwanda to build our foundation. We have hope that we shall receive a return visit, we are happy about the partnership going forward. It is in this drive that we can create true African multinationals. We believe that through this collaboration, we will see more growth from that level.” He added that Botswana has key strategic sectors, one of them being the international finance centre which Rwanda has started. “We are looking forward to exchanging knowledge.”
