Gasamagera, who was talking at the opening of the second edition of Made-in-Rwanda show at Expo Grounds in Gikondo, recommended that for Rwandan products to be more competent, a few more measures need to be taken. 

 

"The Government should give Made-in-Rwanda products like construction materials and office equipment preferential treatment during tendering processes. We are also of the idea that, if possible, a law stipulating that at least 50 per cent of products used in construction or in offices should be locally made be considered," he said.

 

The Minister for Trade, Industry, and East African Community Affairs, François Kanimba, told the business delegates that the campaign to promote Made-in-Rwanda items is one of the methods to bridge the import-export gap. 

 

Kanimba said despite the fact that the Government is devoted to boosting exports, it was also mindful that this can only be possible by formulating strong programs that target increased industrial productivity.

 

"We are working with different categories of Rwandans in the area of wealth creation so that they are able to produce more based on quality and their ability to compete on the market. We have a plan to use experts to advise our industrialists. We are working with 15 industries to see how they can produce affordable quality products," he said.

 

Inaugurating the expo, Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi told the business community that Rwanda was not doing itself any favours by still importing the majority of its goods.

 

"Though the export numbers continue to improve, they still remain at a significantly low level as compared to imports. In 2015, we exported goods worth $389 million, but we imported goods worth $1,863million meaning that what we imported is four times what we exported. The journey is really long," he said.

 

Murekezi also commented that most of the goods that Rwanda imports can be manufactured locally.

Source : allafrica.com