Rwanda: Company Perspectives – An ITC series on non-tariff measures

Rwandan exporters face onerous standards imposed by private clients in addition to government requirements, an ITC survey reveals. Fair Trade certificates demanded by clients in the European Union, especially for coffee and tea, are bringing costs and delays that seriously hinder Rwandan exporters, they say.

Other concerns are bottle sizes imposed by private regional partners, as well as packaging and means of transport imposed by regional, European Union and United States clients. Of 529 Rwandan importers and exporters interviewed, 75% reported burdensome NTMs and trade impediments.