Gov’t, Indian firm sign ICT co-operation pact

The government has signed an agreement with Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) to develop the ICT sector.

Friday, September 28, 2012
Rwandan High Commissioner to India, Williams Nkurunziza, exchange the MoU with Jagadish Shettar, the Karnataka state Chief Minister, after the signing. The New Times / Courtesy.

The government has signed an agreement with Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) to develop the ICT sector.The agreement emphasises the common desire to promote bilateral trade and industrial relationship between the state of Karnataka and Rwanda.Williams Nkurunziza, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to India, signed the agreement with Hari Kumar Jha, Managing Director of KEONICS.Speaking after the signing in Bangalore, Nkurunziza said, "The mutual pact will strengthen the cooperation of ICT sectors of the State of Karnataka and Rwanda.”The ceremony was witnessed by the Karnataka State Minister for Medium and Large Scale Enterprises, the Karnataka Government Principal Secretary for ITBT and Science and Technology among others.According to the statement from the High Commission in New Delhi, KEONICS will soon expand its operations to Rwanda to provide expertise in ICT and electronics on mutually acceptable terms. The company sets to provide advice and capacity building in the fields of IT education, consultancy, infrastructure, engineering and service like e-governance solutions among others.KEONICS is regarded as the pioneer of the IT revolution that has made Bangalore a global household name in ICT development.The High Commissioner also held talks with Rwanda’s Consul in Bangalore, Mohan Suresh.Relations between Rwanda and India continue to grow strong and this was witnessed by the visit of the Indian State Minister for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur early this year.Kaur was in the country to sign pacts with the government on renewable energy and solar electrification in 35 rural-based schools.India’s telecom giant, Airtel, launched its entry into the Rwandan market this year.