Kigali 31st January 2020- Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente called upon the Rwandan Business Community to engage more in Joint ventures (local and foreign) and explore markets through various partnerships to expand their businesses. 

He made the call at the Kigali Convention Centre, during the 7th Edition of Rwanda Business Excellence Awards for the year 2019, an annual event organised by the Rwanda Development Board.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister thanked the Private Sector Federation and the Business Community in general, for their partnership with the Government of Rwanda, in creating jobs for Rwandans.

"Private sector is currently the largest provider of jobs to our citizens and the Government of Rwanda recognizes your efforts in this direction." Said Premier Ngirente

He added that the Business Community is an essential component in Rwanda’s trajectory towards achieving an inclusive and sustainable growth by 2024 and Upper Middle-income status by 2035.

The Prime Minister commended the Business Community for their role in increasing the country’s exports.

He requested SMEs to continue exploring export opportunities with a particular emphasis on the Made in Rwanda national strategy. He also insisted that they need to innovate and adopt new competitive techniques so as to ensure higher production that meets international standards.

Prime Minister reiterated the commitment of the Government of Rwanda to keep on improving the business environment in Rwanda and make it more conducive for both local and foreign investors.

Dr. Ngirente said that the Government of Rwanda is committed to empowering and supporting youth to create businesses through entrepreneurship and access to finance. 

Master Steel Rwanda, a steel construction material manufacturing company emerged as the Investor of the Year while Volkswagen, an automobile manufacturer came as the Emerging Investor of the Year.

This year's categories of awards included Woman Entrepreneur of the year, Young Entrepreneur of the year, Innovator of the year, Skills Development Promoter of the year and Customer Service Enterprise of the year, the Emerging Made in Rwanda Enterprise of the year, Made in Rwanda Enterprise of the year, Emerging Exporter of the year, Exporter of the year, Emerging Investor of the year as well as the Investor of the year.