Connecting St. Louis businesses and leaders to a new global partner.
World Trade Center St. Louis to Host CEO of Rwanda Development Board
Minister Francis Gatare to visit with St. Louis leadership March 21-26
ST. LOUIS (March 19, 2024) — In an effort to build new relationships and explore opportunities to connect St. Louis and Rwanda, World Trade Center (WTC) St. Louis, the international division of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership), will host Minister Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). RDB is a government institution, mandated to accelerate Rwanda’s economic development and transform the country into a dynamic global hub for business, investment and innovation. Gatare’s visit will entail meeting with multiple municipality, company and nonprofit organizational leaders during his stay in St. Louis, including St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page.
“I am excited to welcome Minister Gatare to St. Louis,” said Mayor Jones. “As our city continues to grow as a hub for international travel and business, I’m looking forward to finding opportunities to collaborate with the Rwanda Development Board.”
“The growth of our region is dependent on building relationships across the globe,” said County Executive Dr. Page. “St. Louis County is the economic engine of Missouri, and we are always working to enhance economic development opportunities, including building a more robust workforce and creating new pathways to good paying jobs.”
On the agenda for Gatare’s visit will include learning about local healthcare, agriculture, multi-industry trade, education, and the region’s connections to Africa. Gatare will visit leaders from Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center St. Louis, WTC, STL Partnership, St. Louis Integrated Health Network, Washington University, Saint Louis University, Bayer, BioSTL, Nexus Group and African Chamber of Commerce St. Louis, among other companies and organizations.
“A visit like this can connect St. Louis businesses and leaders to a new global partner,” said Tim Nowak, executive director at WTC. “We see a lot of potential in working with Rwanda, among other countries in Africa, and we hope this is the first step in new international business coming to St. Louis.”
Gatare’s visit will take place March 21-26.
About World Trade Center St. Louis
For more than 30 years, as the international division of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, WTC has supported growth for the region’s businesses, most importantly, ensuring St. Louis companies are represented in an increasingly global marketplace. From customized research to trade training, hosting inbound/outbound delegations and managing St. Louis’ Mosaic Project, Foreign Trade Zone and EB-5 investor visa program, WTC brings together a strong system of business and government agencies to support trade and investment and enhance St. Louis’ global connectivity. For more information, visit https://worldtradecenter-stl.com/.
About St. Louis Economic Development Partnership
The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) provides economic development services for the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. The Partnership works in collaboration with the St. Louis Development Corporation, Greater St. Louis, Inc., the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Partnership and other economic development partners to attract, retain and grow companies coming to or expanding in the St. Louis region. Learn more at stlpartnership.com.
