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Monday February 17, 2025

Rwanda invites Pakistani investors for trade collaboration

By Our Correspondent
January 19, 2025
High Commissioner of Rwanda Harerimana Fatou. — APP/File
High Commissioner of Rwanda Harerimana Fatou. — APP/File

KARACHI: High Commissioner of Rwanda Harerimana Fatou has encouraged the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to foster bilateral trade and investment ties with Rwanda by connecting with the Rwanda Development Board.

Speaking at a meeting during her visit to the KCCI on Friday, she said, “Despite being a small country, Rwanda is keenly looking forward to collaborating with Pakistan. Being small and landlocked is not a limitation for Rwanda. As a member of the East Africa Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Union, Rwanda thinks big. Its open-market policy makes it easily accessible, offering Pakistani businesses the chance to leverage its free trade agreements across the African region.”

Highlighting Pakistan’s ‘Look Africa Policy’, the Rwandan High Commissioner emphasised Rwanda’s potential as a gateway for Pakistani investors, particularly in the sectors of mining and minerals. She underscored Rwanda’s skilled workforce, secure environment and liberal policies that create a favourable climate for foreign investments.

“Setting up a business in Rwanda is straightforward and can be completed online within two hours through the Rwanda Development Board. Visa-on-arrival facilities are also available at Rwandan airports,” she added.

The high commissioner spotlighted Rwanda’s thriving tourism sector, which contributes 65 per cent of the country’s revenue. She noted that Rwanda attracts around two million tourists annually, thanks to its secure environment, exceptional customer service, luxurious hotels and picturesque landscapes.

Turning to Pakistan’s tea imports, she revealed that 45 per cent of the tea imported into Pakistan originates from Rwanda, though it is routed through Kenya. “The Karachi business community should consider directly importing tea from Rwanda instead of Kenya. I am here to connect you with Rwandan tea and coffee producers to promote direct exports from Kigali to Karachi,” she added.

She also mentioned that Rwanda exports minerals, vegetables and beans in small quantities, which could be expanded, while Pakistan exports rice, cooking oil and pharmaceuticals in limited amounts to Rwanda. “We import these products in large quantities from India and China. Why not source them from Pakistan?” she questioned.

Commending Pakistan’s advancements in IT and artificial intelligence (AI), she shared that Rwanda’s entire road lighting system is managed using AI technology developed by Pakistanis.

The high commissioner noted that increased engagement with the business community and the 2023 visit of Rwanda’s senate president led to the opening of Rwanda’s embassy in Pakistan seven months ago. She expressed pride in serving as Rwanda’s first high commissioner to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan established its embassy in Rwanda in 2021, with bilateral relations dating back to 1962.

Welcoming the Rwandan high commissioner, KCCI President Jawed Bilwani lauded Rwanda’s status as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in manufacturing, fintech, infrastructure, energy, education, electric vehicles and tourism.

Despite these opportunities, Bilwani noted that Pakistan’s exports to Rwanda stood at $4.67 million in FY24, while total exports to Africa amounted to $2 billion, representing approximately 6.5 per cent of the country’s overall exports. He stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and exploring new avenues of cooperation.

He further observed that as agriculture-driven economies, Pakistan and Rwanda have significant potential for joint ventures in food processing, cold chain facilities, storage and logistics. Such initiatives could enhance agro-food value addition and deepen ties between the two nations.