The High Commissioner of Rwanda to New Zealand, with residence in Singapore, Guillaume Kavaruganda, on Wednesday presented his credential letters to the Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Patsy Reddy.

The presentation ceremony, which was held at New Zealand’s Government House in the capital, Wellington, was followed by a private discussion in which Kavaruganda extended President Paul Kagame’s greetings to the Governor-General.

The envoy also reflected on the warm bilateral relations between the two countries which saw New Zealand support Rwanda’s admission to the Commonwealth of Nations in 2009 as well as mutual support for the respective countries’ candidatures for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

The discussion also highlighted on the need to enhance economic relations in areas that include Agriculture, green energy, tourism and promoting two-way private sector investments.

According to a statement, Reddy congratulated President Kagame and his government for leading Rwanda’s development journey over the years and also expressed her hope for increase in the number of Rwandans pursuing post graduate education in New Zealand.

With a population of 4.7 million and area covering over 268,000, New Zealand’s main exports are agro-products and receives over 3 million tourists annually. A quarter of its population are migrants born outside the country.

The current New Zealand High Commissioner to Rwanda is resident in Addis Ababa, Republic of Ethiopia.