The Republic of Korea has pledged to increase partnership with Rwanda toward developing the latter’s information and communication technology (ICT) systems.

The pledge was made by the Korean envoy to Rwanda, Park Yong-min, during the occasion to mark the 4,348th Korean anniversary, the National Foundation Day, in Kigali, on Monday.

The event was attended by Korean community in Rwanda, several government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and friends of Korea, among others.

Park said that, for the last 53 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and Rwanda, "our relationship has achieved remarkable progress” in all fields.

He said ICT is one of Korea’s main sectors where the Asian country seeks to partner with Rwanda.

"ICT is one of South Korea’s three main intervention sectors, along with rural development and education,” Park said. 

He said, currently, South Korea, through the International Cooporation Agency (KOICA), are working on 14 projects with the Rwandan government and other partners, and 30 Korean volunteers and experts, "to accompany Rwandan people in their journey of development.”

Private investment

Speaking at the event, the Minister for Youth and ICT, Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, said there is "considerable opportunities” for the already thriving bilateral relations between the two countries—through diversification of trade and investment in ICT, among other sectors.

"The growing presence of Korean companies in Rwanda such as Korea Telecom (kt Rwanda Networks) clearly illustrates increasing trade opportunities between our two countries. The Government is also grateful for the construction of the ICT School at the University of Rwanda and the establishment of an Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) campus in Kicukiro,” Nsengimana said.

Rwanda supplies South Korea with mining products, agriculture products such as coffee, art and crafts, among others.

Regarding rural development, there are several ongoing partnership projects between the two countries in providing technical assistance, and developing value chains in Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe and Muhanga districts.

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