Chinese Minister calls on Kagame

China’s deputy Minister for Commerce, Gao Hucheng, on Thursday paid a courtesy call on President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro and discussed the current trade and bilateral relations between the two countries and how they can be improved.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the President, Hucheng who is also the Chinese International Trade Representative, said that he is leading a Chinese trade and economic delegation, to advance his country’s cooperation with Rwanda.

During the meeting, President Kagame requested Hucheng to pass on his greetings and best wishes to President Hu Jintao and the Premier of China. Addressing journalists, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, said that Rwanda considers China a very important partner and of recent, the Chinese bilateral cooperation with Rwanda had improved.

Rwanda tops EAC business rankings
Rwanda has retained its position as an ideal host for businesses in the East African Community (EAC) by clinching the top position in the first ever business rankings conducted by the bloc’s Secretariat.

The report, dubbed "Doing Business in the East African Community 2011,” was launched Wednesday by the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Dr. Enos Bukuku.

The report prepared by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank, draws data from the annual global Doing Business study. A press release from the EAC indicates that the report takes a detailed look at business regulations in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The EAC Secretariat says that Rwanda, for the second year, retained its status as the leading country in the EAC in carrying out economic reforms, although all the other EAC partner states improved their performance since the year 2005.

Security meeting addresses crime
The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, Thursday met local leaders to discuss ways of combating crime and analyse the general security situation in the country.

The meeting that took place at the Ministry of Defence headquarters was also attended by the ministers of Defence and Justice; James Kabarebe and Tharcisse Karugarama, and the heads of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) as well as representatives from the prosecution departments.

The Minister of Internal Security, Fazil Musa Harelimana and the Youth Minister Protais Mitali, also attended the meeting. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Musoni pointed out that while the country is generally secure, burglary, drug abuse and pick-pocketing, are some of the criminal acts the country is still experiencing.

EAC military games facilitate integration
The EAC military games currently underway in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, are expected to enhance the role of the military in the bloc’s integration process.

ilitaries from the five partner states are competing in various sports; football, netball, marathon and basketball. Opening the games earlier this week, Burundian President, Pierre Nkurunziza, said that more than ever before, military cooperation in the bloc is paramount.

"The military are not only trained to pull the trigger, but to participate actively in sports and culture, to contribute to the construction of their countries, and rehabilitation of the society and the environment,” said Nkurunziza, who is also the Chair of the EAC Heads of State Summit.

The EAC Secretary General, Dr. Richard Sezibera, commended the implementation of the regional pact defence cooperation, under which the Military Sports and Cultural event is held.

 He said that it was one of the most successful and exemplary programs in the EAC integration process.

JICA launches $18m water project
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), on Thursday launched a USD 18 million project to supply water to communities in Ngoma and Kirehe districts.

In Kirehe district, water will be extended to five sectors with a population of 31,000, while in Ngoma district, two sectors with 28,000 people will benefit from the project. The Minister of State for Infrastructure, Colletha Ruhamya, who presided over the ceremony, said that the government’s target is to avail clean water to all communities.

The Japanese Ambassador to Rwanda, Kunio Hatanaka, said he was overwhelmed when he signed the agreement, to start water installation in the two districts last year. The beneficiaries could not hide their happiness, after realising that they will be fetching water less than 500 metres away.

Water installation in the two districts is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

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