TANZANIA & RWANDA TRADE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL!!

Theme: Strengthening Bilateral Trade & Investment Opportunities

20^th May, 2016

Kigali Serena Hotel

1.      Background

The first Tanzania Rwanda Trade Forum (TRTF) comes at the heels of renewed political ties between both Rwanda and Tanzania, following  the inauguration of the fifth President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. John Pombe Magufuli. President Magufuli’s first maiden trip outside of Tanzania to Rwanda upon invitation from President Kagame, saw both heads of state officially open the Rusumo One Stop Border Post and Rusumo International Bridge. During this event, the two leaders encouraged Rwandans and Tanzanians to build stronger trade relationships beneficial for both countries, and the region at large.

The Tanzania Rwanda Trade Forum is an outcome of private sectors from Rwanda and Tanzania heeding to bilateral talks between their respective governments, to deepen and widen trade opportunities between the two countries. The TRTF  will be held on 20^th May, 2016 at the Kigali Serana Hotel under the theme ‘Strengthening Bilateral and Trade Investment Opportunities.’  The Forum will be organized by the  Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF); Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA); Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE)  and Tanzania Truck owners Association (TATOA).   The event aims to assemble over 100 key business players from Tanzania and Rwanda’s private sectors, as well as policy-makers from both governments.

It is important to note that the TRTF follows the recently concluded Joint Permanent Commission for both Rwanda and Tanzania, which took place on 30^th April, 2016 in Rubavu Province, Rwanda. Trade and Industry was one of the key areas the meeting focused on and made recommendations for, which among other things, aim to:

• Fast-track joint projects between Tanzania and Rwanda;
• Eliminate existing NTBs between the two countries.

2. Objectives

The main objective of the TRTF is to emphasize the role of the private sector as the foundation for economic development and prosperity for both Rwanda and Tanzania. This can be done through solidifying business partnerships the two countries; identifying and addressing constraints faced by entrepreneurs in a timely manner; fostering and accelerating private sector growth and facilitating increased regional trade and investments in select economic sectors.

Expected outcomes of the TRTF are therefore to:

• Strengthened bilateral ties and enanced trade relations between two countries;
• Increased volume of exports between both countries;
• Improved environments conducive for trade between both countries.

3. Sectors of Interest

The following sectors will be priorities during the forum.

1. Service industry;
2. Energy and extractives;
3. Agriculture and manufacturing;
4. Transport.

4. Business to Business Engagements  

The forum seeks to foster cooperation between the private sector from both Rwanda and Tanzania in areas of common interest such as,  joint ventures opportunities, exchange and dissemination of relevant business information and intelligence, as well as how to take advantage of the region as a single market for trade and investments. The B2B sessions will form the second half of the Forum.