By Tullah Stephen
International investors and private sector business leaders on Monday, gathered in Rwanda’s capital Kigali for the Global African Investment Summit (TGAIS). The event, organized under the partnership of TGAIS and COMESA was aimed towards deliberating on various ways the private sector can help realize the aspiration of the world’s largest single market.
Among the key agendas for the two-day summit are developing trade and investment corridors in the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) regions, creating an environment that enables harmonization through policy regulation and attracting investment and private sector players to enhance the physical infrastructure to facilitate the movement of goods and persons.
“The event sets a good platform in leveraging on efforts to bolster intra-regional trade. The fact that its being held in africa for the first time means a lot.” said Francis Gatare, the Chief Executive Rwanda Development Board.
While making his opening remarks, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame urged members of the private sector to continue playing their role as facilitators in the implementation of various policies. “The Private sector is going to be key in sustaining  the political will needed to realize the TFTA agreement,”said the President.
On his part, COMESAÂ Secretary General Sindisio Ngwenya said the summit will be a rallying call for investors to trigger deals that will stimulate social and economic development.
The TGAIS summit comes at a time where a number of African countries are working towards creating an enabling business environment for the private sector. At least 1000 delegates are expected to attend the event in Kigali and will get the opportunity to showcase projects available for investment and partnership.