The Special Economic Zone program within the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is designed to address domestic private sector constraints such as availability of industrial and commercial land, availability and the cost of energy, limited transport linkages, and regional and international market access, among others.

 

2015 saw a good number of new international businesses moving into the Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) in Masoro, such as Strawtec Building Solutions Ltd, which manufactures construction materials. The factory worthy $10 million (Rwf 7.2 billion), owned by German investors, is expected to manufacture high-quality modular prefabricated wall panels from wheat and rice straw, and is expected to serve 2,000 housing units in its first phase.

 

At the launch of the factory, Emmanuel Hategeka, the permanent secretary at the trade and industry ministry, said that the initiative is expected to boost the government's efforts to deliver affordable housing, and will allow Rwanda to produce innovative construction materials for the fast growing local construction sector.

 

The facility is expected to generate $1 million each year and provide 5000 farming jobs, 1,100 jobs for factory staff and construction workers, generating an income of $3.6 million annually.

 

Statistics from the trade and industry indicate that more than 1,200 farmers with 5 full-time agronomists across the country have already been equipped with skills that will help them tap into the value chain of supply, especially with rice and wheat.

Source : allafrica.com