STORY: Dozens of companies attend China, Rwanda business linking event
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 16, 2024
DATELINE: Nov. 18, 2024
LENGTH: 0:02:58
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the event
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): THEONEST HIGANIRO, Chairman of Rwanda-China Alumni Organization
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AIMABLE KIMENYI, Vice Chairman of Rwanda Private Sector Federation
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): AIME JULES SIMBI, Entrepreneur

STORYLINE:

Over 60 Chinese and Rwandan companies attended the first business linking event organized Saturday in Kigali, the Rwandan capital.

The Business to Business (B2B) event was co-organized by the China Embassy in Kigali and the Rwanda-China Alumni Organization to link Rwandan and Chinese companies.

Theonest Higaniro, chairman of the Rwanda-China Alumni Organization, said the event targeted companies owned by members of their organization and Chinese companies operating in Rwanda. He believes business collaboration could lead to joint ventures or subcontracting opportunities for the companies.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): THEONEST HIGANIRO, Chairman of Rwanda-China Alumni Organization
"What we want is just to have local company's partnerships with Chinese companies and this will attract investments from China to Rwanda and also to the neighboring countries."

Aimable Kimenyi, vice chairman of Rwanda Private Sector Federation, said the event helped companies to learn from each other. He said the turnout of companies and students seeking to know the market needs exceeded their expectations.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AIMABLE KIMENYI, Vice chairman of Rwanda Private Sector Federation
"They can open their door, we can learn from them, they can learn from us. What we are looking for is really to have this thing ongoing digitally. All this company, we can create a platform where we can keep seeing them, connecting with them, contacting, and learning with them."

Aime Jules Simbi, an entrepreneur, said attending the event was an occasion for local businesses to connect with international businesses.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): AIME JULES SIMBI, Entrepreneur
"This is a good opportunity for the local businesses as well as those international businesses because they are the one who knows the market well, once we have something to share and they have something to share, it's a win-win situation for the businesses. I got an opportunity to work with another business person which is something tangible for my businesses."

Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun commended the private sector, companies and the alumni organization for the success of the event. He reaffirmed China's commitment to cooperation with Rwanda in areas of infrastructure, agriculture, energy and education.

Wang noted the B2B event enabled the business community to connect and explore more opportunities to deepen commercial ties.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)