Rwanda seeks to attract businesses at Davos forum

The annual World Economic Forum opens today in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss world economic issues, with the government looking to the summit to sell the country’s economic potentials to prospective investors.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

The annual World Economic Forum opens today in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss world economic issues, with the government looking to the summit to sell the country’s economic potentials to prospective investors.

The four-day summit will also discuss other critical current challenges, such as security, climate change and "new normal” global growth and commodity prices, among others.

Rising inequality and a widening trust gap between people and their political leaders are said to be big challenges for the global elite as they converge.

Speaking to The New Times from Switzerland, yesterday, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Amb. Claver Gatare, said the meeting will provide a huge opportunity for Rwanda to show where it has reached economically.

Platform to showcase economic strides

Gatete said since Davos summit features a host of globally influential figures in spheres of economics, Rwanda will be provided with a platform to show them the economic strides made with view to attract them to spur business in the country.

"Since Davos involves top policy makers, academicians and many key figures in the world economy, it will help us to show them how Rwanda is performing economically and attract them for business. It is an opportunity to let them know what is there for them in Rwanda,” he said.

Gatete is part of the Rwanda Davos delegation that is led by President Paul Kagame. The delegation also includes the State Minister for Natural Resources, Dr Vincent Biruta; Rwanda Development Board chief executive Francis Gatare, tInfrastructure minister James Musoni, among others.

This is the 46th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum taking place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The theme of this year’s meeting is, "Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

Over 2,500 leaders from business, government, international organisations, civil society, academia, media and the arts will participate in it.

Minister Gatete said the meeting will help the Rwandan delegation exchange ideas with global economists.

"In Davos, different areas of the economy are discussed. We shall share ideas with the economists and learn from them also. It will also give us an opportunity to work together with them,” he said.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw