15 companies represent Tanzania at Kigali trade fair

Dar es Salaam. At least 15 Tanzanians firms are currently showcasing their various products in Kigali, Rwanda as the two countries mount their bilateral ties, the trading promotion agency has said.

The acting director general for Tanzania Trade Development Authority (Tantrade), Mr Edwin Rutageruka told The Citizen yesterday that the companies are participating in the 19th episode of the annual Rwanda International Trade Fair (RITF) which started on July 27.

The event - organised by Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation (PSF) in collaboration with that country’s Ministry of Trade and Industries – will end on August 10.

The event seeks to market Rwanda’s products to the rest of the world while also providing a platform for members of the business community to share information and experiences on investment and trade among others.

“We have companies from tea and coffee blending, freight forwarders as well as those who produce skins…. Apart from marketing their products there, they will also be promoting Tanzania while simultaneously creating economic and business ties between two countries,” he said.

Tanzania and Rwanda are currently enjoying cordial relations that saw the latter being President John Magufuli’s first point of call outside the country after assuming the presidency late last year.

Similarly, President Magufuli invited his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame to officiate at the just ended Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) earlier this month.

The two leaders also engaged in a bilateral meeting where they committed to strengthening ties in key sectors which culminated into the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Rutageruka called upon Tanzanians firm, willing to take part in next year’s DITF, to confirm their participation early lest they be left behind.