COMESA Business Council (CBC) trained private sector prayers in agribusiness, manufacturing and services

Elias Hakizimana Aug 23, 2023Aug 24, 2023 0 Comments

By The Inspirer.

At least 60 Rwandan companies and related trade support institutions have benefitted from the training on the use of online market intelligence information platforms and business management and market intelligence.

The three-day training that was organized by COMESA Business Council (CBC) in partnership with International Trade Center (ITC) and the Government of Rwanda under RECAMP with the European Union (EU) support has been held in Kigali from August 21st to 23rd, 2023 with the aim to help firms and Business Support Organizations to simplify their market research and improve their efficiency by learning to access trade intelligence through a free digital portal, the African Trade Observation accessed at https://ato.africa/en ), enabling them to identify opportunities within the region and beyond.

Participants from the training workshop are categorized in various export orientation sectors that include Apiculture-bee keepers and honey processors, Horticulture especially those growing vegetables, Aquaculture and fish processors, meat processors (pork, beef and poultry), and fruits farmers and processors.

It brought together private sector participants from the National chambers of commerce and industry, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) associations and support organizations, SME exporters in Agriculture, Leather and Manufacturing sector and Business associations including women entrepreneurs’ organizations plus other Business Support Organizations (BSOs).

Solange Murekezi, CEO, Founder of AUC Delices Honey Limited and President of Rwanda Beekeeping Network says the training leaves them with the reality on how to decide on a business or a potential market.

**Solange Murekezi, CEO, Founder of AUC Delices Honey Limited and President of Rwanda Beekeeping Network. Photo credit:/Alexis Nyandwi, Agriculture Communication Expert.**

“This training came timely because it is a right tool that will help us to analyze the market for our products. It gives us all data any export-oriented business can need to assess any potential market. Some time we speculate while targeting a market instead of taking decisions based on reality, for my business, it will help me to be more detailed while planning to explore any market and take decision professionally.” she says.

Speaking during the workshop, Steven Karake, Head of Quality Research Assurance, Private Sector Federation (PSF) lauds efforts by COMESA, European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Trade (MINICOM) to conduct such a significant event and to consider PSF members.

He highlights the importance of the training with regard to market access information by reflecting on trade challenges including market information, infrastructure and logistic issues, visa and other market regulations that have consequently limited Intra-Africa trade.

On behalf of the COMESA Secretary General, Mr. Pardon Njerere Value Chain Expert thanks the Government of Rwanda for hosting this workshop, which he said will contribute to unlocking new market opportunities for MSMEs.

He encouraged the SMEs value the training and use gained expertise to research on potential markets and be able to move their goods regionally and globally.

“As you go back to your respective constituencies, I encourage you to disseminate the acquired knowledge and skills to other MSMEs who could not make it to this workshop.” Mr. Njerere urged trainees.

“This training programme will prove to be a game changer in their way of accessing market opportunities locally, regionally, and internationally; and it will complement other initiatives that we as COMESA are promoting such as the BIZNET, Sokokuu and 50 Million African Woman speak platforms.” He added.

Trainees learnt about the information of market destination for their products, regulatory requirement, tariffs, and non-tariffs barriers among others to better position their effective participation in markets and particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which was recently established.

The training workshop is expected to promote SMEs who are marginalized for them to participate in regional value chains through identification of opportunities by use of digital platforms. It will also increase participation of SMEs in the supply chain networks of larger corporates and multi-national companies in the region.