KIGALI, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The Inaugural East Africa Capital Markets Day conference opened in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, on Friday for discussions on mobilizing resources for investment and growth.
The conference brings together business leaders and financial experts from across East Africa. Participants will analyze existing economic and developmental opportunities within East Africa and the role of the capital markets as a catalyst in advancing the region's agenda, according to organizers.
Capital markets contribute to the mobilization of resources both from domestic and international sources, Rwandan Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Uzziel Ndagijimana said at the opening of the conference.
Local and international capital markets continue to feature as a primary funding source for growth in conjunction with private equity investment, he said.
The minister also said stock exchanges have proven that they can offer great alternative of funding platforms to businesses and governments, while at the same time offering attractive opportunities of investment in various securities while promoting saving culture.
James Ndahiro, Chairperson of Rwanda Stock Exchange, urged all market players across the region to step up education of the masses on how they can save and invest through the capital market.
The stock exchange is a platform which can be used by all people to prepare for the future by participating in innovative technologies, said Ndahiro.
He called for strengthening public education strategies to be able to educate the public on the importance of saving through the capital market, adding that there is need to be innovative in explaining how the capital market operates to the masses.
