Dutch investors seek partnerships with local entrepreneurs

A delegation of Dutch investors arrives in the country today to explore investment opportunities in different sectors of the economy, especially in the agro-processing and hospitality sectors. Leoni Cuelenaere, the Dutch ambassador to Rwanda, told The New Times that the group is being led by the Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Lilianne Ploume. Cuelenaere said the delegation is representing 30 companies across all sectors, including agro processing, manufacturing, hospitality, engineering, real estate, as well as the SME sector. According to Cuelenaere, the Dutch investors are seeking business opportunities and partnerships with local business people. “We want to explain to the investors the opportunities Rwanda offers them and why they should invest into the country,” Cuelenaere said in an interview on Monday. “Our responsibility is to link them with local entrepreneurs so that they can share business experiences and, hopefully, build joint ventures with the local private sector players,” she added. There are already some Dutch companies in different sectors of the economy. Claver Gatete, the Minister for Finance and Economic Development, said strengthening economic ties with the Kingdom of the Netherlands is critical for Rwanda’s development. “We want to reduce dependence on foreign aid, and one way of achieving this objective is through embracing investment partnerships,” he noted. The Netherlands is one of the leading exporters of agricultural produce.

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Dutch investors seek partnerships with local entrepreneurs