This past Tuesday, February 27th, 2007, representatives from Rwanda's Investment & Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA) made a groundbreaking visit to Western Canada, in Vancouver, British Columbia. They held a meeting with entrepreneurs who had responded to an ad placed in the Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers describing the event:

As can be seen in the photos above, the meeting was very well attended and the enthusiasm from everyone there was contagious and encouraging. The questions and comments from the wide variety of business people and experts in their fields - some of whom had done business elsewhere in Africa - inspired the RIEPA representatives to plan for a future Vancouver meeting in the Fall.

Interest was expressed by some to attend the upcoming 4th International Investment Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, being held from the 21st - 23rd of May, 2007:

UPDATE: The date has been postponed one week to the 28th - 30th of May, 2007:

This will be an opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and expertise to the Common Market for East & Southern Africa (COMESA) - and also to view products from Rwanda, and elsewhere in Africa, which they may be interested in importing.

Pictured below are some samples of the beautiful crafts and products (tea and coffee) that Rwanda is interested in exporting - among others - throughout the world. These were on display at the Vancouver RIEPA meeting:

As a person who has written extensively about Rwanda on "Orwell Today", and who has travelled there myself as a tourist, I can attest to the reality of the Vision 2020 which will see Rwanda a prosperous, middle-class country by that time - with the potential of its people and resources fulfilled to their utmost. Rwanda truly is embodying its RIEPA goal - The New Frontier - and as such, offers opportunities for all at home and abroad. ~ Jackie Jura

DESTINY DESTINATION RWANDA and RWANDA HAS BEEN REBORN