Rwandan High Commissioner Partners Rivers, PHCCIMA on Local Production

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rwandan High Commissioner in Nigeria, Amb. Christophe Bazivamo said the country is partnering with the Nigerian government, especially the Rivers State government and the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), in promoting local production.
The Rwandan High Commissioner made this disclosure, during the opening ceremony of the 17th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, in Port Harcourt, at the weekend.

In his remarks, Bazivamo noted the need for African countries to promote indigenous products, stressing that production and consumption of home made goods will boost and stabilise economy.

He explained “Our presence here is actually a framework of deepening and widening partnership between the Nigerian government and Rwanda, Rivers State government and Rwanda, with also the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and private sector in the federation and Rwanda.
“The idea here is for cooperation in the framework of implementing the recently signed joint permanent commission for cooperation agreement between Rwanda and Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This year’s is about promoting local production, especially this one. Local production is the same time promoted by local consumption. As Africans, we should act strongly towards promoting our local products, but most importantly, by consuming what we produce and also produce what we can consume”.
Bazivamo thanked PHCCIMA for the invitation, saying that “I will first of all emphasis that Rwanda has opened its door. The framework for the implementation of Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement by ushering the Visa entering free by Rwanda and invited actually other Africans to come and visit, invest and partner with Rwandans.

“I thank you for the warm hospitality we have enjoyed since we have reached this vibrant commercial and control central Port Harcourt. I wish to transmit to you greetings from the government of Rwanda. We are so privileged and honoured to be together with you this evening.”
In his remarks, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Lawson Ikuru, assured of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

The governor also advised investors in the state to support his government achieve its mandate of making Rivers a notable hub for business and ensured an improved infrastructure for development of the state
Earlier in his speech, the PHCCIMA president, Mike Elechi, disclosed the theme of this year’s trade fair as “MSME/SME Growth: The Wheel to an Entrepreneurial Economy”.
Elechi said the fair serves as a platform for collaboration and exchange of ideas, showcasing the dynamism inherent in the local businesses.