NIGERIA – RWANDA: Port Harcourt Chamber to Partner Rwandan Counterparts on Business .

The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has agreed to hold a larger business meeting between Rivers State stakeholders in the business community and their counterparts in Rwanda to brainstorm on trade relationships and opportunities in both countries. By Obinna Nwaoku

This came as part of collaborative efforts to enhance business opportunities between Nigeria and the Republic of Rwanda.

High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Nigeria, Stanislas Kamanzi, who made the proposal during his bilateral visit to the corporate office of PHCCIMA on Monday, said that his visit was to negotiate profitable partnership business opportunities between stakeholders of both countries.

The Rwandan envoy said that his country is ranked second in African countries on the ease of doing business, saying that within six hours after registration of business, one qualifies to commence operation. He added that the government of Rwanda has made it easier for any investor to have a huge free operation devoid of a visa into their country rather than with an international passport.

He further said that other business opportunities available in Rwanda included agriculture, ICT, tourism, real estate, commerce, and construction, among others.

Kamanzi added that Rwanda operates a tax holiday of seven years for manufacturing investors and others with an investment worth 500,000 and above and in Nigerian currency.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of PHCCIMA, Sir Mike Elechi, told the Rwandan envoy that there are several business channels in Port Harcourt, adding that these opportunities are available for investors.

He said the envoy’s visit to the chamber coincided with their two power-to-power summits, which according to him, were timely and in the right direction, noting that as drivers of the organised private sector in the state, they are open to welcoming genuine partners for business activities to thrive.

In her vote of thanks, the first Deputy President of PHCCIMA, Dr Chinyere Woga, commended the Rwandan envoy for the proposed business meeting in Rwanda, which she described, as a welcome development and as another opportunity for members.