A cross border market worth $ 3 million that has been constructed for two years was yesterday handed to Rubavu district officials. The market located at “Petite Barrière” will be used by traders from Rubavu and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Patience Umutesi, The CEO of East Africa Trademark which funded the construction of the market assured that the support to facilitate cross border trade will be sustained.
“Construction of this market built within two years took $ 3 million which also catered for renovation of a road to remove trade barriers,” she said.
The cross border market has 192 trading rooms and 5 freezers.
- Advertisement -
Trade Mark East Africa plans to build more similar markets in Rusizi and Rutsiro districts.
Rubavu district vice mayor for economic affairs, Janvier Murenzi revealed that the market is among infrastructures reinforcing strategies to meet the district’s goal to become trade and tourism hub within six years.
“The market will facilitate inter-trade with DRC citizens. It will promote exports because it has a particular section designed for improvement of Made in Rwanda products,” he said.
The Director of Private Sector Federation (PSF) in Rubavu District, Jeannette Kayumba Nyota highlighted that the market will ease businesses for women who used to make long walks carrying loads.
“The market comes at the right time because we receive many traders from DRC. There will be no more long walks to get goods. Both Congolese people and Rwandans will be exchanging goods here at the border,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINICOM), Michel Sebera requested residents to maintain the marker infrastructures.
