Kigali — There is optimism that the newly formed Rwanda Association of Manufacturers (RAM), will sharpen the competitiveness needed to increase the country's exports.

Robert Baigamba, RAM's first Chairman said emphasis will be put on increasing advocacy for the members to bring down costs of production which is hampering regional sales of Rwandan products.

"The sector is facing a lot of challenges which could not be solved without an umbrella association which can bring out one voice to lobby for a pool of opportunities that are around us," he said during the launch last week.

The sector that has seen growth with the emerging of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that deal in processing and contribute around 13.9% to the country's Growth Domestic Product.

However, manufacturers and processors have been crying foul over the increased costs of production, including prices for raw materials and transport logistics which forces them to price their products.

"We are aware these challenges exist but we want to tackle the with researched information from the studies we will conduct to help us provide a lasting solution," Baigamba said.

"But I think we need to change on the mentality of how we sell our products and this is why the association is now in place," Jonathan Hall, Managing Director of the country's beverage company Bralirwa said.

Hall said despite price, Rwandan products have been beating other products in terms of quality, a mileage that will boost Rwanda's exports. Currently the country's total exports stood at Rwf 32,751 million in March of 2013 from Rwf25,828 million in February of 2013 with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo being the country's regional trading partners.