The Rwanda Private Sector Federation on Monday signed agreements with the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) and the All India Granites and Stone Association (AIGSA).

This was during the just concluded "Rwanda Investment Roadshow” in India, where a 26-member delegation headed by the Minister of Infrastructure, Vincent Karega, met CEOs of leading companies in India and promoted Rwanda’s business climate for foreign investors.

According to information published in the Indian Express, who were the co-organizers of the event with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the new Indian partners will give a boost to the economy by investing in the physical infrastructure sector of Rwanda.

On landing in Ahmedabad, India, on 18th October, the delegation began a conference where they demonstrated to over 100 Indian delegates how Rwanda rose from the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, to become a star of the World Bank’s "Doing Business Report” in 2010.

In his address, Minister Karega is quoted as saying, "What we talk about is not well understood in the West because they do not see the level of poverty we are talking about. But you people know, and our aspirations are similar to yours.”

Claire Akamanzi, COO of the Rwandan Development Board, presented facts and projections about Rwanda, such as the country’s connection through a 2,500 km fiber optic cable that seeks to connect all households to the Internet by the beginning of next year, as well as the "Doing Business 2010” report which places the country at 67th position, up from 143rd in its previous edition.

"I don’t know if you know Rwanda, but if you do, you must be aware of the 1994 Genocide. But that was 16 years ago and a lot of things have changed after that,” she is quoted.

Akamanzi also said it would take only 24 hours to register and start a business in Rwanda, which information she said is backed by World Bank data.

Rwandan High Commissioner to India, Williams Nkurunziza, added that there is no better place to start a business than Rwanda because of its location in the heart of Africa.
"We can help you expand your business in the continent,” he told the delegates.

The delegation landed back in Rwanda on Tuesday.

Ends