RWANDAFUL The Hague - Embassy of Rwanda in the Netherlands

I SSUE
39
RWANDAFUL
The Hague
Monthly
Roundup of
Rwanda’s
Stories
October 2014
Rwanda remains the easiest place to do business
in Sub-Sahara
Rwanda has demonstrated consistent strong performance in the World Bank Doing Business Rankings in recent
years with good progress made across all the key indicators. Following significant changes to the methodology of
the World Bank Doing Business Report, Rwanda has been ranked 46th out of 189 countries in the 2015 report.
This presents a strong performance given the widened scope in the new methodology that assesses new areas.
The report is a survey conducted on how easy it is to do business in the country. A high ranking on the ease of
doing business index means the regulatory environment is more conducive to start and operate a local firm. In
the overall performance,
Rwanda is still the best performing country in the East
and Central Africa and 3rd
easiest place to do business
in Africa (1st is Mauritius
which ranks 28th globally,
2nd is South Africa which
ranks 43rd).
Rwanda the strongest performer in Global Gender Gap
Rwanda has yet again scored highly in women empowerment scorecard.
According to the Global Gender Gap Report released on 27 October by the
World Economic Forum ranked Rwanda first in sub-Sahara and seventh
worldwide respectively out of 142 countries analysed. The overall high
ranking can be explained by Rwanda’s strong performance on the Political
Empowerment subindex and good performance on Economic Participation
and Opportunity subindex.
The study shows that Rwanda closed its gender gap mainly on Labour force
participation, Enrolment in primary education, Sex ratio at birth and Women in parliament. The report measures gender-based disparities across four
key areas: health, education, economy and politics.
“Some of the most compelling findings regarding the benefits of gender
equality are emerging from companies,” according to Klaus Schwab, the
founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, in the report’s preface. “For example, companies that include more women at the
top levels of leadership tend to outperform those that don’t.” “As this Report shows, good progress has been made over the last years on gender
equality, and in some cases, in a relatively short time,” he added. “Yet we
are far from achieving equality of opportunity or equality of outcomes.”
In fact, the study shows that less wealthy countries trumped those with
larger GDPs. This year, for instance, Nicaragua (6), Rwanda (7) and the Philippines (9) ranked higher than the United States (20th) and United Kingdom
(28th). The WEF gathered the data through a series of indexes, including
information from the International Labour Organization, the UNESCO Institute for Statistic and the World Health Organization. The overall score for a
country is calculated with “an un-weighed average of each subindex score,”
according to the report. See the full report here.
According to the 2015 Doing Business Report named “Going Beyond Efficiency” which goes beyond assessing
normal regulation and also examines quality of regulation, Rwanda has made significant improvements in areas of
getting credit by moving from 13th to 4th in the world, dealing with Construction permits from 85th to 34, Resolving insolvency from 137th to 101st respectively. As the report indicates, Rwanda’s distance from frontier metric
(DTC) improved from 69.40 last year to 70.47 this year.
The CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Francis Gatare said at the press conference that “Rwanda has consistently implemented bold reforms to improve the ease of doing business and this has resulted in a significant
promotion from 150th globally in the 2008 report to 46th today. We have achieved this mainly through constant
dialogue with the private sector to determine their perspectives and needs. ”He added that “As the theme for this
year’s report suggests, Rwanda will continue to enhance progress beyond the World Bank indicators to the business and investment climate as a whole. We remain fully committed to ensuring business is at the centre of our
development agenda.” Doing Business report 2015 edition can be accessed here.
EMBASSY OF THE
REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
The Hague
www.netherlands.embassy.gov.rw
[email protected]
President Kagame in Dubai: Africa's challenges are its opportunities
On 1 October in Dubai, President Kagame addressed the Global Business Forum held in Dubai and
hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
As the region's largest African Economic Event, the forum brought together seven hundred government and business leaders for a two days discussion aimed at strengthening economic ties between
the Middle East and Africa. Speaking on the panel titled “Africa Rising- Leading the Continent towards
Change” alongside President Wirtu of Ethiopia and President Mahama of Ghana, President Kagame
shared the vision that has allowed Rwanda to address its challenges: “Africa's challenges are also
opportunities. It is about investing in resources to ensure they benefit the people.”
President Kagame added that regional integration provides an opportunity for sustainable progress
and to fulfill the potential of intra- African trade. President Kagame added that without integration,
Africa's progress will not be fulfilled: “African
integration is key. African countries standing
alone cannot go far. Together, we can make the
kind of movement forward we all want.”
The panel discussed barriers that continue to
hamper investment on the African continent
including infrastructure, corruption, and rule of
law. Explaining the steps Rwanda took to encourage business, President Kagame emphasized the importance of policies that uphold
rule of law and create a business environment:
“There is need for a predictable environment in which investors put their money, for rule of law, for
transparency and fighting corruption. Part of the progress in Rwanda has been made on that basis.”
Addressing the challenge of corruption, President Kagame added that policies are not sufficient and
must be strengthened by accountable institutions: “We need to fix infrastructure, skills and governance. We need to govern for people and their transformation and make sure resources are managed
to benefit the people. We should take nothing for granted and continue to work together.”
Speaking on the same panel, President Dr. Mulatu Teshome Wirtu echoed the importance of good
governance and urged investors to understand the context of each African nation: “With democracy
and good governance, peace and stability, we can have a vision of integrating into the world economy. We cannot use the same formula for all African countries. It has to be in line with the realities of
each African country.”
During the first half of this year, Dubai's total non oil trade with Africa reached a value of $16.3 billion
while Dubai's Emirates has increased cargo destination in Africa from 31 to 38 in the last two months.
In the last five years, Dubai has increased its trade by 141% from $10 billion in 2008 to $24 billion in
2013.
President Kagame and President Park hold bilateral meeting in
South Korea
On 29 October President Kagame and President Park Geun-hye held a bilateral meeting
during the second day of President Kagame's visit to South Korea.
Held at Blue House, the South Korean Presidential residence and office, the meeting focused on the growing bilateral relations between South Korea and Rwanda.
With South Korea's achieving transformation from a developing nation to top twenty economies in the world, the two Presidents discussed the opportunities for collaboration stemming from the similarities that define both Rwanda and South Korea's vision. The two Presidents expressed that Korea's history makes the nation a natural partner in Rwanda's journey of socio-economic transformation.
A key similarity discussed is the commitment to self reliance through homegrown initiatives- particularly Umuganda in Rwanda and Saemaul Udong (New Village Movement) in
South Korea. The latter was established in
1970 as a means to modernize rural areas
and ensure community's participation in economic growth through diligence, self-help
and community work. The initiative is largely
credited for South Korea's rural development.
President Park recognized Rwanda's achievements in the past two decades including rebuilding a post conflict nation, good governance, business friendly environment and
Rwanda's determination to achieve transformation.
Both President Kagame and President Park Geun-hye reiterated their commitment to
building on the existing bilateral relationships and increase cooperation with a strong emphasis on encouraging South Korean private sector to invest in Rwanda. Key sectors of
cooperation will include ICT, human capacity development, rural development and housing.
“We believe in and want to help Rwanda's vision of becoming an IT hub,” President Park
said.
Korea Telecom, whose headquarters President Kagame visited earlier today, serves as a
model of mutually beneficial partnership between South Korea Private Sector and Rwanda.
During his meeting with Chang-Gyu Hwang, Korea Telecom (KT) chairman and his team,
President Kagame assured KT of Rwanda's full support in the implementation of the 4G
network and thanked KT for the role they play in supporting the growth of ICT in Rwanda
with the provision of 4G network.
President Kagame ended the bilateral; meeting with an invitation to President Park to visit
Rwanda. The meeting with President Park marked the end of President Kagame's two day
visit to South Korea.
President Kagame in London: Investments should be about building systems
On 20 October President Kagame
began his three day visit to London
with the Global African Investment
Summit. The event themed ‘Realising
Africa’s Investment Potential’ brought
together over 300 business leaders
for a discussion aimed at bringing
private sectors and governments
together to discuss access to finance
and bankable projects on the continent.
The summit opened with a presidential panel with President Kagame,
President Museveni of Uganda, President Mahama of Ghana and Prime
Minister Pinda of Tanzania. Speaking
on the ebola crisis, President Kagame began by calling for the right approach to addressing the crisis: “We
need to work together regionally, strengthen country systems to tackle problems that affect African citizens.
Epidemics like Ebola remind us that investments should be about building systems.”
Pointing to challenges including infrastructure and energy among others, President Kagame called on investors to focus on the opportunities: “There are different challenges but there are also opportunities. Between
the resources that East Africa or Sub Saharan Africa has and the challenges, right in between there are real
opportunities and solutions.”
Drawing attention to the importance of improving the lives of citizens, President Kagame called on investments that develop nations and people: “It’s not just about investing in IT or infrastructure. Our own national budget, 15% of it goes to education and it has been increasing. This is about prioritizing investment in
human capital from primary school, to university, to vocational and technical education.”
President Kagame concluded with a message to investors: “Invest in Rwanda, in East Africa. Your money will
be safe, you will have high returns and the country and our citizen will benefit and we will develop together.”
President Kagame was welcomed to London by hundreds of Rwandans living in the UK who lined the streets
across from Savoy Hotel where the summit took place. Supporters held signs thanking President Kagame for
his leadership and listing Rwanda’s accomplishments in the last twenty years including 1 million people lifted
out of poverty, Rwanda's position as the10th fastest growing economy in the world and reiterating Rwandans choice of dignity, resilience and self reliance.
The two following days of President Kagame’s visit to London included a lecture at Chatham House on
“Rwanda’s role in a changing world” (click here to read the entire lecture) on as well as a keynote address at
the UK-Rwanda Business forum.
Don't wait for anybody to do you a favor
President Kagame ended the second day of his visit with an interactive discussion with hundreds of Rwandans living in the UK and neighbouring nations. The
Rwandans gathered at Grange Hotel welcomed President Kagame to London
and thanked him for the continuous inclusive relationship.
Thanking the participants for their support, President Kagame called on Rwandans to continue standing up for their dignity: “If you are unwilling to fight for
what you believe in, you are worth nothing. A nation and the dignity of its citizens are worth fighting for.”
“No one should decide how our citizens live, ration how much they eat or how
much they get out of their lives. Those who have lived through it should never
experience it again. Those who have not experienced it should never have to.
This proves that we should not wait for anyone to do us a favor.” President Kagame added.
President Kagame called on Rwandans to learn from Rwanda's history and own
their future: “If you can, do a favor to others but don't be the people that will
wait for a favor from anybody. Favors come disguised and by the time you realize it is very expensive, you have already lost everything,” President Kagame
urged. “We waited for people to do us a favor, and we lost one million people,”
President Kagame added.
Concluding his address, President Kagame reiterated Rwanda's commitment to
transformation: “What we want is for every citizen to be self reliant, to compete
on the global market and live a decent life. Our willingness to fight for dignity
has not subsided in the last 20years. It has increased.”
During the interactive discussion, participants shared their vision for Rwanda's
future, asked questions on Rwanda's path to economic self reliance and thanked
President Kagame
for leadership based
on equality.
President Kagame
will end his three
day visit with the
Rwanda-UK business
forum bringing together leaders in the
private sector of
both nations to discuss
investment
opportunities.
Inclusive growth key to citizen participation
On 22 October President Kagame gave the keynote address at the UK-Rwanda Trade and Investment forum that
brought together over three hundred business leaders in various sectors including energy, mining and banking.
Speaking on the current business opportunities in Rwanda, DFID Minister of State, Desmond Swayne, described
Rwanda as a transformed nation: “Rwanda is a country that is absolutely transformed from the human disaster
area of 20 years when the world turned its back on Rwanda into the modern, safe, prosperous and corruption
free zone that it is today. It is an example of what Prime Minister has called the golden thread of development
where open and free markets, coincide with a government with strong institutions that are accountable and
democratic and give rise to a peaceful, stable government so that people can trade their way to prosperity. In
that respect, Rwanda sets an example to the continent and the rest of the world.”
President
Kagame
reiterated
Rwanda's commitment to good
governance and a safe and stable
environment: “We in Rwanda have
worked hard to establish security
and political stability. This has allowed us to focus on strengthening
good governance and a culture of
accountability. With national programs such as One Laptop per
Child, universal health coverage,
free 12-year basic education and
partnerships with world class universities such as Carnegie Mellon,
we are putting in place, the building blocks of a knowledge economy. We are prioritizing inclusive
growth to empower citizens to
chart their own futures and to
innovate.”
President Kagame concluded by inviting investors to visit and invest in Rwanda: “There is no doubt about the
attractiveness of investing in Africa. I invite all of you to Rwanda. You are guaranteed high rates of return and
improvement of our people’s well being. I look forward to working together for the development and prosperity.”
The keynote address was followed by a panel discussion with Minister and CEO, Francis Gatare of Rwanda Development Board and Minister Claver Gatete of the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Alvaro Sobrinho, an Angolan investor set to open Invest in Rwanda Bank, in Kigali in the near future.
With digital innovation you cannot be landlocked; ideas
do not have borders
President Kagame has said that digital innovation has levelled the playing
field, making it easy for anyone from anywhere can compete in the global
economy. Speaking at an interactive session during the conclusion of the
Smart Rwanda conference on 4 October, President Kagame said digital innovation means ideas do not have borders and therefore countries cannot be
landlocked: “We are making good progress. We should not take things for
granted, we should continue working hard. Our thinking is about crossing
borders while benefiting others and from others. We may act Rwandan but
we think Africa and beyond.”
President Kagame emphasized that broadband should be treated like a utility that should be availed and made affordable to as many people as possible
and that Rwanda was looking for ways to increase affordability and ensure
benefits. Encouraging young people to take up entrepreneurial roles in the
field on digital innovation, President Kagame said: “An entrepreneur is one
that does not alleviate poverty but creates wealth because alleviating poverty is like treating a patient who stays in a condition between critical and
death. There is a saying that this is Africa’s century. The question is why wasn’t last century Africa’s century? I believe it has always been Africa’s day. It’s
up to Africans to seize the day and make our aspirations a reality.”
President Kagame concluded by paying tribute to Dr Hamadoun I. Touré,
who will soon be coming to the conclusion of his tenure, for his work as ITU
Secretary General: “You have made every African proud”
Digital innovation has the potential to transform the lives of ordinary citizens, help eliminate poverty as well as spur socio-economic growth across
the African continent, President Paul Kagame has said. “Digital innovation
means ideas do not have borders and cannot be landlocked.”
Rwanda awarded for promoting sustainable development through
foreign direct investment
Rwanda launches its first ever Fund for the
Environment and Climate Change
The Rwanda Development Board has been recognised as a top global institution in promoting foreign direct investment for sustainable development. The institution was presented the UNCTAD
World Investment Promotion Award during the opening of the UNCTAD World Investment Forum
2014 on 13 October 2014. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) emerged best alongside with
InvestT from Trinidad and Tobago, Trade and Investment South Africa and United Kingdom Trade
and Investment. RDB topped 29 global institutions who had qualified for the awards as a result of
the Board’s innovative approach to attract projects and the impact of an investment project - environmentally, economically and socially.
Speaking on the global green investment award announcement, the Rwanda Development Board
Chief Executive Officer Francis Gatare said: "This award is a sign of the strong investor confidence in
Rwanda. It demonstrates the rare combination that Rwanda represents as the easiest place to flour-
ish as a business and the best place to live in a clean and green environment. We are encouraged by
this award. It is a sign of the strong investor confidence in Rwanda."
This award recognises Rwanda’s attractions as a viable and profitable business destination. For the
last ten years, Rwanda has consistently implemented ambitious doing business reforms, including
developing and implementing clear strategies to create a sustainable, enabling regulatory and institutional environment for businesses and investment to thrive.
The award was presented by H.E. Didier Burkhalter, President of Swiss Confederation, to H.E. Dr.
François-Xavier Ngarambe, Ambassador of Rwanda to Swiss Confederation on behalf of the Rwanda
Development Board. Receiving the award, Ambassador Ngarambe said: “The agency receives the
award for the policies and promotion practices that attracted an FDI project in a solar energy plant,
which will generate up to 7% of the country’s electricity and create 200 jobs in rural communities.”
The Rwanda Development Board engages with international markets to do business and is constantly seeking more overseas green enterprises to invest in Rwanda.
Rwanda launched on 10 October the Fund for Environment and Climate Change, a ground
breaking initiative and the biggest of its kind in Africa. The fund will be the engine of green
growth in Rwanda, mobilising and channelling domestic and international financing to public and private environment and climate change projects. The green fund will support projects that align with the country’s commitment to a strong and prosperous green economy.
At the launch, those involved in setting up the fund as well as its beneficiaries shared their
experience and achievements. Policy makers and development partners also discussed the
future of Fund for Environment and Climate Change and pledged to continue their support.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi said that the Fund for Environment and Climate Change is yet another milestone in the determination of the Government
of Rwanda to promote the green economy. He also underlined that given its geographic
location, Rwanda has to take actions to mitigate the negative consequences of climate
change .
“Climate change is real and its impact on our daily and national lives, in all sectors, is huge.
Rwanda has taken a relentless and proactive approach to mainstream environmental and
climate change policy across the economy,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also said it was imperative for Rwanda, as a country that is determined
to promote green economy, to support all initiatives protecting our environment.
As part of the launch of the climate fund, hundreds of Rwandans and friends took part in an
Enviro Walk to raise awareness of the fund and share how Rwandans can be involved in
and support its work. The walk began in Kacyiru and finished at the national Amahoro Stadium in Remera and was joined by students from St. Famille school in Kigali.
Learn more about the work of the fund at www.fonerwa.org and click here to watch a short
documentary.
Rwanda marks World Food Day, celebrating farmers in achieving food security
The Embassy On Social Media
In a colorful ceremony held on 21 October in Ngoma District, Eastern Province, Rwanda joined the rest of world to mark World Food Day. This
year’s celebrations are centered on “Feeding the world, caring for the earth”. The event highlighted the country’s achievements in food security
and included visits to successful agriculture projects across the district.
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Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture Dr Geraldine Mukeshimana emphasized the role played by smallholder farmers in improving food
security and contributing to the eradication of hunger. Dr Mukeshimana said that World Food Day is an opportunity to reflect on the country’s
progress and work hard to achieve more; “Rwanda is 131% food secure. Our food security is the result of hard working farmers. I appreciate the
work done by farmers and development partners to attain food security. I also request for increased use of fertilizers, improved seeds and irrigation,” she said. The minister called on farmers to embrace various activities that increase productivity and improve social welfare. “I request you
to put energy in land consolidation, use crop insurance to curb climate change risks, protect agriculture infrastructure like terraces, roads and
collection centers”.
Rwanda attained food secure in 2009. This was a result of the government’s increased investment in farm inputs, land consolidation, fertilizers
and the role of agriculture extension officers. The minister also called on factories to partner with farmers to increase agriculture productivity,
and encouraged all stakeholders to work hard for agriculture transformation.
Rwanda marks World Food Day as the government prioritizes agriculture, a sector that employs more than 80 per cent of Rwandans. In line with
the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy and the country’s efforts to enhance the agriculture sector, Rwanda has designated irrigation and land consolidation as important areas to develop. Both are considered critical in ensuring that the nation attains a reliable
and sustainable crop production as part of food security and poverty reduction.
You can learn more about Rwanda’s agricultural sector by visiting www.minagri.gov.rw.
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Rwanda shares successes at the East Africa Business Summit in Kigali
Rwanda celebrates the World Energy Day with new plans for
affordable energy
President Paul Kagame and President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the 6th East Africa Business Summit in Kigali. The summit brought together over 200 business leaders to discuss "Positioning East
Africa for Inclusive Prosperity in Africa and Beyond".
On 22 October Rwanda celebrated World Energy Day in Rutare Sector, Gicumbi District prom
ising citizens plans for universal energy access. The celebration was officiated by Honourable
Minister of State in Charge of Energy and Water in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Hon. Germaine Kamayirese under the theme: “Sustainable Energy for All”.
In her remarks Min. Kamayirese said Rwandan must know that energy is priority and there is
political will and plan to support universal energy access to people of Rwanda as soon as possible. “ There is no alternative about energy access, we know very well our people need energy
as priority to their development plan, it our duty to act” Said Min Kamayirese
She added that in EDPRS II the Government of Rwanda plans to generate over five times the
current capacity by 2017 the project targets to accelerate access to safe, reliable, and cost
effective energy to people of Rwanda. The current total installed power capacity is 119MW
from Hydropower projects and even thermal generation and projected to reach 563MW by
2017/18 that will increase our capacity from 21% to 70% by 2017/2018.
Speaking at the event, President Kagame urged the East African Community to overcome the
barriers that prevent the region from entirely opening up its borders to increased trade and the
easy movement of people. “We have to do integration in an inclusive manner so that everyone is
able to participate in making a difference. We still have a long way to go and we want to get
there as fast as possible. Leadership means pushing to get things done, it is not just about talking," he said.
The CEO of the Rwanda Development Board Francis Gatare, shared the experience of Rwanda’s
success in creating an enabling business environment. Rwanda is ranked 52nd in the world in
terms of Doing Business.
The meeting came just over a year before December 2015 when members of the East African
Community are expected to have reached key benchmarks allowing for the free movement of
people, goods, services and capital across the region.
First held in 2002, the East Africa Business Summit is a strategic think tank for the region.
Through the summit, the conveners and business leaders represented seek to bring thought
leadership to regional economic transformation. Participants at the summit aimed to develop
solutions to the complex problems facing the region.
According to the CEO of Rwanda Energy Group Mr. Nyamvumba said to achieve this target
alternative source of energy especially, renewable energies such as Geothermal, Gas Methane,
Solar PV, and Biogas will be highly useful to eliminate the dominance of fossil fuels.
The Government is encouraging private sector to engage in Energy investment through publicprivate partnership to efficiently to promote energy for all and manage energy resources to
meet even significant upturn in demand for decades to come.
Rwanda aviation expansion to boost the economy
Justice sector receives Euro 20 million support
Rwanda’s aviation industry is expanding rapidly and the impact on the country’s
economy is expected to be significant. The expansion plans include upgrading
the Kigali International Airport and the Kamembe Regional Airport and building
one of the largest airports in the region, the Bugesera International Airport.
Upgrades to the airport in Kigali will be complete in the coming month, while
renovations in Kamembe will conclude in March 2015.
Figures from the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority show that traffic at Kigali International Airport grew by 30 per cent to 488,903 in 2013, up from 377,327 in
2011. The average number of flights per week is now 300. The airport upgrades
to cope with the increase cost a total of $17 million with the number of terminal gates up from two to six. The airport runway will also be extended from the
current 3.5 km to 4.2 km.
With the growing tourism industry and aviation competition in the region,
Rwanda decided to fast track the construction of Bugesera International Airport. The first phase of the construction is underway, and is expected to end in
2017, at an estimated cost of $600 million. The construction includes a 4.2 km
runway and cargo and passenger terminals capable of handling 1.8 million passengers annually.
The expansion of Kamembe Regional Airport is a priority due to its location and
the business opportunities in the area. The airport currently serves at the gateway to Nyungwe National Park and Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The upgrades are expected to cost $2.5 million which includes increasing
the runway to 2.2km to be able to accommodate even larger aircraft.
By expanding its aviation infrastructure, Rwanda is positioning itself well to
benefit from the growth in tourism, trade and investment in East Africa and the
continent.
Rwanda and the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed an agreement on 27 October, where the latter committed Euro 20 million (about Rwf17 billion) toward efforts to boost the Judiciary.
The grant will support Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) and help strengthen the rule of
law, promote good governance and a culture of peace, according to Finance and Economic Planning minister Claver Gatete.
“Justice sector strategies are a direct translation of the main second Economic Development and Poverty
Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2). Justice-related priorities and the purpose of the Sector is to strengthen the
rule of law, while promoting accountable governance and a culture of peace,” Amb. Gatete said during the
signing ceremony in Kigali. “This will greatly contribute to socio-economic development and enhance poverty reduction as prescribed in EDPRS2 blueprint.”
Rwanda at AfricaWorks! Conference in Leiden
The Netherlands African Business Council and the African Studies Centre organized the second edition of the Africa Works! Conference at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Leiden, the Netherlands, on 16
and 17 October 2014. Rwanda exhibited with the aim to strengthen the dialogue between the private and public sector, NGOs and knowledge institutions in order to form partnerships in Rwanda.
H.E. Ambassador Karabaranga from the Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague and H.E. Ambassador Cuelenaere from the Dutch Embassy in Kigali were present on both days with their teams to meet
potential investors and business companies.
The economy of Rwanda continues to grow and this year Rwanda has moved up four places this year to 62nd position
from 66th position last year, according to the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). This makes
Rwanda the most competitive country in the East African Community and third most competitive country in the subSaharan African region after Mauritius which ranks 1st and South Africa which ranks 2nd.
The World Economic Forum analyzed of 144 countries the competitiveness based on:
 Factor driven requirements (institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education);
 Efficiency enhancers (higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labor market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness & market size)
 Innovation and sophistication factors (business sophistication & Innovation).
TV interview Ambassador Karabaranga
On Sunday 19 October 2014 RTL Business Channel broadcasted an
interview with Ambassador Karabaranga about doing business and
the business climate in Rwanda.
Following the World Bank Report of 2014
Rwanda is the most improved economy worldwide since 2005 (sustained growth rate of 7%8% since 2003) and the World Bank Doing Business Report ranked Rwanda as 32nd out of 189 countries (1st in East African Community and 3rd in Sub Sahara region).
Trade Mission 11-13 November 2014
Click here to watch this show and the interview.
In November Dutch Minister Ploumen (International Trade & Development Cooperation) is heading a delegation of Dutch
investors on a trade mission to Rwanda, where the following promising sectors in Rwanda have been defined:
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Agribusiness (including dairy, potatoes, flowers and seeds, and the processing industry)
Renewable energy
Infrastructure, construction (among others airports). With the construction of a new airport in 2017, Rwanda should
be a regional player in the field of aviation and logistics. The investments sums up to € 650 million. This offers opportunities for Dutch businesses.
Credential letters in Estonia by Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga
Wednesday October 22, 2014 Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga presented the credential letters to the President of the Republic of Estonia Mr. Toomas Hendrick Ilves. The ceremony took
place in the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, in the president’s office. Ambassador Karabaranga was accompanied by the spouse Viviane Uwicyeza Mironko and Minister Counselor Guillaume Kavaruganda.
The discussion between the President of Estonia and Ambassador Karabaranga focused on the bilateral relations specifically on the cooperation in Information Communication Technology whereby Estonia is among the top countries in the world in mastering and using it.
President Toomas Hendrick Ilves emphasized the fact that Estonia invested in ICT while it was a poor country. This vision has helped Estonia to achieve the economical growth that the country is
enjoying now. He reminded the mistake that developing countries commit in ignoring ICT not bearing in mind that it is the tool to development and good governance. On this he recommended
the Rwandan achievements in this sector.
Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga expressed the long path that Rwanda has undergone since the Genocide of the Tutsi in 1994, and indicates to the president of Estonia other areas where the
two countries can work hand in hand such as in agriculture and energy.
Estonia has only one Embassy in the African continent which is based in Egypt. Even though Estonia is relatively a big country with 45.227 km2, it is among the least populated countries with only
1.300.000.inhabitants. Estonia regains its independency in 1991 separating itself with the former URSS. It is now part of the European Union, NATO, OCDE, Euro zone, SCHENGHEN visa and is
among the top 15 rich countries worldwide in GDP.
Ambassador KARABARANGA is the second Rwandan Ambassador to present his credentials in Estonia.