President Paul Kagame yesterday addressed the Third Africa Global Business Forum held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the forum brings together hundreds of business and private sector leaders for a two day discussion on increasing investments in Africa.

Speaking on a panel titled "Next Steps - Cementing Gains and Enabling the Future” alongside President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and Mohammed Al Shaibani, executive director and chief executive officer of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, President Kagame highlighted the country’s progress as a result of Rwandans’ motivation to change their history, according to a statement from presidency.

"We were motivated by our history and the belief that we can achieve results for our people,” he said.

"If Rwanda can make the progress we have seen, it means other countries in similar situations can also achieve that.”

Speaking on the importance of inclusion to achieve good governance, the President pointed to inclusion as essential for good governance.

"It is the simple logic that together we can go far and the gaps that existed in rights of people needed to be addressed, including women and their right to participate.”

On the choice between economic and social development, Kagame challenged the notion of a tradeoff.

"You cannot carry out successful political reform when social reforms are not happening; you have to look at the holistic picture. In improving social well being of Rwandans there hasn’t been the trade off that is theoretically talked about outside,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of investments in driving growth, President Kagame encouraged two way partnerships between Dubai and Rwanda, calling for increased quality and quantity in the trade between the two.

The first day of the forum concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between International Corporation of Dubai and Rwanda Development Board.

The signing ceremony was attended by President Kagame and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and ruler of Dubai.

The ceremony also served to present a key tourism project between Dubai and Rwanda, including the building of the new Gorilla Nest Lodge in Kinigi.

The third of its kind, this year’s Africa Global Business Forum brought together over one thousand participants, including Ameenah Gurib Fakim, President of Mauritius; Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana; Nourdine Bourhane, Vice-President in charge of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Housing, Union of Comoros; Cheick Mobido Diarra, Former Transitional President of Mali; and Joaquim Chissano, former president of Republic of Mozambique.

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