Preps for Rwanda Day in Boston in high gear

President Paul Kagame is expected to attend “Rwanda Day” in the US city of Boston, Foreign Affairs Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, announced on Tuesday.

Thursday, September 13, 2012
Children sing the National Anthem at last yearu2019s Rwanda Day in Chicago. The New Times / File.

President Paul Kagame is expected to attend "Rwanda Day” in the US city of Boston, Foreign Affairs Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, announced on Tuesday.The two-day event due from September 21 to 22, is partly an opportunity to showcase the country’s impressive growth over the last 18 years, according to the minister."The exceptionality of this year’s Rwanda Day is that, it will be attended by President Kagame; this has made the number of people registering to attend the event go up mainly from U.S, Canada, Europe and some from Rwanda,” Mushikiwabo told journalists in Kigali.She added; "This is one of our national policies, of recognising with dignity Rwandans who live abroad. We want all Rwandans across the world to know much about their country and contribute to national development whenever they want.”Speaking to The New Times, the Rwandan Ambassador to the US, James Kimonyo, said everything was being done to ensure the event is successful."Rwanda Day will be an opportunity to build upon the achievements of previous Rwanda Day (in Chicago) ,’ said the envoy."The main objectives of this year’s event will be to strengthen networks of Rwandans across North America, provide an accurate understanding of our country today and the role of the Diaspora in shaping Rwanda’s future”.He added that the event will also provide a platform that connects Rwandans and friends of Rwanda to business opportunities beneficial to Rwanda."I am personally thrilled by this event because the momentum gained during last year’s Rwanda Day in Chicago in terms of many Rwandans becoming aware of the opportunities and how they can grab them is very impressive,” Amb. Kimonyo observed."They are asking for houses to buy, areas of investment, stock markets, bonds...”The envoy said that for the first time in his five years in the United States, he had witnessed "tremendous interest” from the Diaspora to participate in nation building process.Last year’s event was held under the theme: Agaciro (Our Heritage - Our Future) and brought together thousands of participants.It also provided a unique opportunity for those present to hear, firsthand, the stories of the country’s unparalleled achievements and find out how they can be part of the process. Private and public entities also held exhibitions to attract investments and potential partnerships.