EAA investment mission to Rwanda, via Nairobi, in October
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) have now confirmed the dates for the EAA investment mission to the country, October 25th-27th. I will be preparing some notices shortly but the provisional format will be as follows:
Arrive in Nairobi on Tuesday October 24th, stay the night there (we would be happy to book the hotel) so that mission participants can attend the EAA members’ regional lunch meeting on the 25th (registration commences at 10.30). Here they will hear briefings on Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya and have an opportunity to network with our members already doing business in the region. It also involves a 3-course lunch which is included in the participation fee (provisionally euro 750).
We would then fly from Nairobi to Kigali that afternoon (25th) to arrive in time for a cocktail reception there to enable all participants to introduce themselves to each other (they will be coming from various places, this is an important initial “bonding” event to establish good relations between those on the mission – the internal dynamics are key to a successful visit).
On the Thursday we will have formal presentations on Rwanda from various people based there such as the EU Head of Delegation, IMF and World Bank country managers (all tbc), before we will hear from the RDB and possibly the Rwanda Private Sector Federation, who will also provide opportunities for B2B meetings later that day or on the Friday. We will have a networking lunch for this to take place, which will probably include a short presentation by one of the banks based in Kigali to introduce themselves and the services they offer to potential new investors.
In the evening we will have a cocktail reception, to which various members of the diplomatic community and government officials will be invited, as well as some local business people. This again provides valuable networking opportunities.
On the Friday, we will organise a couple of trips – one possibly to Lake Kivu to see the Bralirwa (Heineken) brewery there and one around the town. Participants will also of course be free to pursue contacts made the previous day on their own.
In the evening I hope to organise a cultural evening although some may leave early to return to Nairobi. I always like to try and give participants a positive, memorable image of the country just visited if possible.
The fee includes 3 evening receptions and 2 lunch meetings, one of which will be in Nairobi, plus arrangements for the formal briefing meeting on the 26th and one of the 2 trips, for which transport will be provided. Participants will be responsible for flights and accommodation costs, plus any incidental expenses (mainly drinks!).
I will depart from Kigali to the UK the following day (Saturday) on Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa.
At this stage this is all very provisional but I hope it gives you a good outline of what we intend to organise and your members would be most welcome to join