High-end quality furniture manufacturing in Rwanda The applicant, Alpha CD Technologies SURL (Alpha Burundi) was established in 2006 for the production and marketing of high-end quality furniture. The applicant owns a furniture manufacturing factory in Bujumbura where it produces and markets furniture such as sofas, chairs desks and cabinets. The products can be ordered in standard measurements or tailor-made. Alpha Burundi delivers the products at significantly lower prices than its competitors.The local partner Alpha CD Technologies SURL (Alpha Rwanda) has been selling furniture of Alpha Burundi in Rwanda from its establishment in 2010. The partnership of Alpha Rwanda and Alpha Burundi is based on mutual exclusivity.The applicant and the local partner will form a joint venture for the establishment a manufacturing factory in Nyamata, 30 km from Kigali and a showroom in Kigali.Due to the increasing economic growth and an upcoming middle class the demand for high-end quality furniture has been on the rise. The expectation is that the economic growth will be sufficient to absorb the products.It will be the first high-end furniture factory in Rwanda. The knowledge and skills have successfully been implemented in Burundi by Chinese trainers on the job. The local employees are now fully trained and can in their turn transfer their knowledge and skills to Rwanda. The quality of production, the production process and the employees are therefore unique in Burundi. The project will include repair services for their own products and for other high-end quality furniture (imported).Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)There will be favourable working conditions for the employees in terms of health and safety, the salaries will be good. The employees of the joint venture will be facilitated in forming a workers' union in the example of Alpha Burundi. The joint venture commits to reducing any negative impact on the environment, an environment impact assessment will be conducted during implementation. As in Alpha Burundi waste such as wood, sponge, leather and dust will be recycled. The joint venture will obtain ISO 9001 certification.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsStaff will be provided adequate working breaks, dormitory, transport and free lunch. A contract with a local health centre will ensure free medical care and medicine for the employees. The employees will be able to get driving licenses paid for by the joint venture. Following the example of Alpha Burundi the joint venture will assist employees financially in case of special occasions. The joint venture will form a music band and a football team to create recreational opportunities for employees.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeIt will be the first high-end furniture factory in the country. The used production methodologies are new to the country. These production methods include, among others, profiling of MDF, applying of chrome, manufacturing of innerspring mattresses.The project will also be the first furniture manufacturing company in Rwanda to use FSC certified wood.•	Chain effectsThree local suppliers of raw material for glue, metal and sponge) will benefit from the reliability of long-term contracts.Small stapling machines, fan, glue gun for foam and general maintenance tools (hammer, screw driver, etc) will be also sourced from different suppliers in Kigali.The customers will have access to quality furniture, approximately 25% cheaper than imported products. They will be able to buy tailor-made high-end quality furniture which is not possible with the imported furniture. Customers can use the repair service of the joint venture, not only for their own products but also imported furniture from their competitors. This is an innovative aspect of the project.•	Impact on the sectorBecause of its technological innovation, it is expected that other companies will replicate the business model. Importers of high-end quality furniture can include cheaper products from the joint venture in their shops.The joint venture will recruit 30 trainees from a local training centre of which at least 20 will get a job at the joint venture. The joint venture will enter into an agreement with this training centre to ensure adequate implementation.•	Environment-	An environmental impact assessment will be conducted before implementation.-	Waste products will be recycled as is the case in Alpha Burundi.-	The joint venture will acquire FSC certified wood from Tanzania.-	For chemical waste water from the factory the joint venture has contacted the paint producing companies Ameki Colour and Sadolin from Kigali. These companies, with the capacity to separate water from paint, showed interest in recycling the waste water of the joint venture at a cost.•	Position of women31% of future staff will be women. This is equivalent to 44 positions. Both men and women will be offered equal employment opportunities in the company. In case of equal qualification, female candidates will be preferred. To establish a high-end quality furniture factory, which will produce desks, sofa combinations, doors, chairs, innerspring mattresses, beds and tailor-made assignments for the local Rwandan market, to be sold through a centrally located showroom as well a