COPAD : Interview

Writing: What motivated you to participate in the Business Forum in Bukavu?

Claudette: First and foremost, we had the honor of being invited to the Business Forum. I quickly understood that the purpose of the Forum was to create a platform for meeting between business players and operators from Burundi and Congo. My goal was to identify potential business partners and explore the possibility of expanding our projects into Congo.

Writing: What did you benefit from this Forum?

Claudette: Many things. During the B2B sessions, I had the opportunity to discuss with other participants to identify potential partners, either in the short or long term. I spoke with other women engaged in similar or related activities. We discussed the challenges we face, and together, we proposed solutions to the administrative authorities of Burundi and Congo. Besides being an opportunity to learn about the trade regulations between the two countries, it was also a chance to enhance our visibility.

Writing: Have you contracted new partners?

Claudette: I met several people from different categories. I was able to exchange contacts with Burundian and Congolese operators, some of whom could become our partners and others potential clients. I exchanged my contact information with more than 20 people, and about 30 participants showed interest in our products. Among them, 10 provided their contacts and proved to be very promising.

I noticed that there is a large market for juice consumption in Congo. The officials at Hotel HORIZON confirmed to me that they have significant consumption potential. Meanwhile, in Nyawera, one of the most popular and frequented neighborhoods in the city of Bukavu, the restaurant Chez Negrita promises to take our products in the near future.    

Writing: What did you like most about the Forum?

Claudette: I greatly appreciated the collaboration among the participants. Additionally, the team was very cohesive, which is why we were able to broaden our horizons and explore new business opportunities.

Writing: What did you not like?

Claudette: What I didn't like is not really related to the Forum. Here, we have reusable and customized glass packaging. This means that we retrieve the bottles. However, even if we were able to secure a market for the consumption of our juices in Congo, it would be very challenging to recover the packaging. This would result in the product price becoming very high, giving strength to competitors and significantly reducing competitiveness.

Writing: After your participation in the forum, what would you like to improve in your activities?

Claudette: I would like to work hard to impact my community, and I aspire to become a role model for women and young people in different communities. Through discussions with businesswomen who participated in the Forum, especially those engaged in similar activities as mine, I would like to raise more awareness among young people and women, especially those from partner associations in our cooperative involved in cross-border trade, whether on the Gatumba shore or at the Ruhwa border. I want to emphasize that there is a way to operate within a formally recognized framework and engage in legal trade to avoid the risk of heavy fines or confiscation of goods.