Africa -China Review Africa -China Cooperation and Transformation
Published: November 11,2024
Visitors interact at the Rwandan pavilion at the China International Import Expo on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi, says that Rwanda’s exports to China are expected to continue to grow after registering a significant increase seven years.
Rwanda’s export to China have grown from $39 million (over Rwf54 billion in 2018 to $131 million (over 180 billion) in 2023, according to from the ministry. Over the last five years, trade between Rwanda and China has grown from $300 million to $550 million.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on November 5, Sebahizi said that the exhibition was one of the opportunities for Rwandan exporters to tap in to the vast Chinese market.
“Rwanda sees a lot opportunities in this exhibition, which showcases products and services, made outside China,” Sebahizi said.
Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi, speaks to reporters at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on November 5, 2024. Photos
“Rwandan businesses have brought different products and this international platform is an opportunity for us to make people aware of what Rwanda produces. Secondly, the Chinese will get to know what products Rwanda has to offer, which presents us with a potentially ready and vast demand for the products.”
He said Rwandan businesses would also create networks with other exhibitors and get to learn how to improve their own businesses.
Eleven Rwandan companies participated in the seventh China International Import Expo, running until November 10. They showcased coffee, tea, honey, chili and handcrafts.
Touted as the biggest import-oriented event, the annual exhibition attracted more than 3,500 exhibitors from more than 120 countries. More than 400 new products are expected to be showcased.
The Chinese International Import Expo, which was initiated in 2018, promotes innovation in various areas, including manufacturing and services.
The 2024 edition focuses on four industries, namely the digital economy, green and low carbon development, life sciences, and manufacturing technologies.
Rwanda’s export volumes to China have increased by 20 times in the past seven years, the minister said.
The minister said that having access to the vast Chinese market challenges Rwanda to increase its production in various aspects.
“For example, this country has given us a market for chili, but we have yet to satisfy the demand. There’s also coffee, tea and oils, but we still have to increase our production to be able satisfy the vast market of 1.4 billion Chinese people,” he said.
Sebahizi said that value addition to products such as Rwandan chili, which gaining popularity on the Chinese market, would rake in more export revenues for Rwanda.
He added that Rwandan businesses also had the opportunity to explore China’s e-commerce by using platforms like Alibaba.
China is one of Rwanda’s major sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) over the past five years. Sebahizi said that the Chinese have invested more than one billion dollars over that period.
Sebahizi said that at the exhibition Rwanda also looks forward to attracting more Chinese investors.
“This is an opportune moment for us to encourage Chinese people to invest in Rwanda, especially in industries. The Chinese have advanced in industrialisation and high technology. Their investment in Rwanda’s industrialisation would mean significant progress for us,” he said.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi, speaks to reporters at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on November 5, 2024. Photos by Moise M. Bahati
Rwanda was one of the 122 countries represented at the seventh China International
Import Expo, which opened in Shanghai on November 5, running until November 10, 2024.
The New Times
