The event, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the International Trade Center, provides Rwanda with a unique platform to strengthen its foothold in one of the world's largest markets.
Since its inception in 2018, the CIIE has been a catalyst for Rwanda's trade engagement with China, contributing to significant growth in both exports and investment. Rwanda's Ambassador to China, H.E. James Kimonyo, underscored the importance of the expo in fostering economic ties between the two nations.
'Our participation in the China International Import Expo is not just about showcasing our products; it's about building strong bridges for lasting partnerships and opening more doors for Rwandan businesses in one of the world's largest markets,' he said.
'This event symbolizes China's commitment to global economic cooperation, and Rwanda is seizing the opportunity to deepen its trade relationships,' he added.
Rwanda's participation has seen marked success in previous years, with export values to China increasing from $39 million in 2018 to $131.2 million in 2023. China has also emerged as Rwanda's top source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) over the past five years, underscoring the robust economic partnership between the two nations.
The 2024 expo will feature a strong presence from Rwanda's agribusiness sector, with exporters keen to capitalize on China's demand for high-quality agricultural products.
The Rwandan delegation, led by Hon. Prudence Sebahizi, Minister of Trade and Industry, aims to secure further investment opportunities while promoting tourism through side meetings, live-streaming events, and roadshows.
Rwanda's relationship with China has flourished over the past five decades, culminating in a recent upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a milestone achieved in September when leaders from both countries met at the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing.
This strengthened partnership reflects the enduring and multi-faceted cooperation between Rwanda and China, spanning education, health, infrastructure, manufacturing, and trade.
In addition to highlighting Rwanda's distinctive exports, such as specialty tea, coffee, and chili, the expo offers Rwanda the chance to engage directly with Chinese consumers and e-commerce platforms.
'Since 2019, Rwanda has used creative marketing approaches like live streaming to attract e-commerce users in China, which has led to valuable market opportunities for our products,' noted Ambassador Kimonyo.
The strategic collaboration through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has further solidified China's commitment to African development.
As the trade volume between Rwanda and China reached an impressive $551.9 million in 2023, up from $300.1 million in 2019, both nations anticipate continued economic growth and closer cooperation.
The CIIE provides Rwanda an invaluable platform to showcase its potential and strengthen its economic engagement with China.
With the groundwork already laid through years of bilateral cooperation and strategic investments, Rwandan businesses are set to leverage this expo as a gateway to even greater economic opportunities.
Sam K Nkurunziza
