The Taste of Rwanda event has launched in London, showcasing over 20 Rwandan export companies from the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
This initiative aims to boost Rwanda’s trade footprint in the UK and capitalize on the benefits of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers lower tariffs and simpler rules of origin for Rwandan exports to the UK.
Officials attendees include Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Johnston Busingye, UK High Commissioner to Rwanda, Alison Thorpe, and National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) CEO, Claude Bizimana. Chantele Carr, CEO of Invest Africa, and representatives from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) were also present to discuss trade opportunities.
In his opening remarks, High Commissioner Johnston Busingye said this event follows the inaugural UK-Rwanda Business Forum in January 2024, where businesses and officials explored trade and investment opportunities.
“Today, we build on that momentum by deepening trade relations and showcasing Rwanda’s diversifying agriculture and horticulture,” he said.
Statistics indicate that trade between the UK and Rwanda has more than doubled, from $25 million in 2017 to $51 million in 2022.
Last year alone, total trade in goods and services between the UK and Rwanda was approximately $44 million in the four quarters ending in June 2023, representing an increase of 9.4 percent.
In April 2024, the United Kingdom decided to suspend the 8% tariff that was previously applied to flowers exported from Rwanda, for a period of two years.
The objective of this tariff suspension is to enhance flower trade between the two countries.
‘Taste of Rwanda’ Starts in London
