ISTANBUL - In yet another strategic move to boost the Foreign Direct Investment, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has opened an office in Istanbul to attract Turkish investments.

The office will, among other things, help RDB to efficiently target investors to develop Rwanda’s priority sectors after remarkable positive interest from the Turkish business community.

"This office will also serve to facilitate Rwandan investors wishing to carry out their business operations within Turkey and any other part of the country”, John Gara the Chief Executive Officer of RDB said while opening the office.

The ceremony was also graced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo, who led the Rwandan delegation, Rwanda’s honorary Consul in Turkey Inanc  Cifti, the Minister Of Trade and Industry Francois Kanimba, the Minister of Infrastructure Albert Nsengiyumva  and the Private Sector Chairman, Faustin Mbundu

A 15- strong Turkish delegation earlier last month visited the country to gauge the investment potential and how to partner with local businessmen.

"Turkey’s strategic location, between Europe and Asia, ensures the possibility of attracting investments from the region. There has already been an expression of interest in the sectors of mining, real estate and infrastructure development,” Gara noted.

During the ceremony, a number of renowned companies expressed their interest to invest in the country. These include Tahincioglu and Nova, Hakan Mining and Charcoal, Baycan, Petroland, among others.

Turkey, which has been recognised as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, has a GDP of about US$ 736 billion recorded last year with an average annual Real GDP growth rate of over 4 percent.

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