The main objective of the NIRDA Open Calls Program is to introduce firm-level innovations, which improves the ability and capacity of Rwandan enterprises to compete in strategic national and international markets.
NIRDA’s Director General Kampeta Sayinzoga observes that it is time for industries and enterprises across the country to adopt technology.
In a press conference on Thursday Kampeta said that NIRDA will support entrepreneurs to increase their industrial production.
“We want to help small firms so that they can grow to a higher level and generate more products,” she said. Sayinzoga says NIRDA is going to open doors to industries and their development starting from ordinary banana beer brewers. They will also support selected tailors who won in recent competitions.
Sayinzoga says that tailors who accepted to change working style will also be given sewing machines that they applied for.
However, she added that they are required to work in cooperatives for higher productivity and NIRDA will support the building of capacities.
Kampeta said that “Open Calls Program is a new way of providing existing firms with technology, equipment and capacity. Every year, we will be selecting different value chains based on the newly confirmed technology.” She said.
She added that private enterprises through a NIRDA online platform apply and for capacity building support.
Sayinzoga further says that apart from local banana beer brewers who were offered this opportunity last year, NIRDA will also support those who competed and won in recent competitions.
NIRDA also has its NIRDA Applied Research and Development program which involves need-based, collaborative research geared toward industry in the private sector.
This second focus of NIRDA is aimed at introducing, promoting and embedding industry within the Rwandan context.
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