Rwanda investments attractive - German minister

Rwanda’s investments in infrastructure, information technology as well as being a member of the East African Community make the country attractive to foreign investors, a top German diplomat has said. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs wrapped up a two-day business trip to the country yesterday during which he led a delegation of fifty people comprising business executives, academicians, parliamentarians and journalists. At a joint press conference with his Rwandan counterpart, Louise Mushikiwabo, Steinmeier described Rwanda’s economic outlook as rational and praised the country’s ambitions to grow the economy to middle-income status. “You have a very rational (economic) outlook. And at the same time you are aware that market size is an important issue with regards to investors coming to your country. We see that you have a clear perception of where you want to go with your economic policy,” he said. By being part of the EAC, Rwanda moved from being a market of just eleven million people to 140 million people who live within the five countries that make up the bloc. Being part of the larger market with a stable macroeconomic environment; as well ambitions investment plan in infrastructure makes Rwanda attractive to German investors, Steinmeier said. “I would say these are incentives that will be taken and acknowledged in Germany,” he said. Relations between Rwanda and Germany are smooth and officials at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit: “Provides the opportunity to strengthen bilateral development cooperation between Rwanda and Germany and increase trade”. Mushikiwabo said that Rwanda feels a very special friendship for Germany, not only because the two countries share a history of Genocide and the ability to bring back reconciliation in the communities affected by the mass slaughter, but also the productive relations between the two countries. “...it’s linked to history but it’s also linked to the quality of our relationship in modern times. I think that’s the basis of the kind of productive and serious ties that exist between our two countries,” she said. Mushikiwabo also urged Germany to increase her presence in Africa where France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom remain the only European countries that seem to be deeply involved in African affairs. “We want to see more presence of Germany on this continent. Germany is certainly a player globally and in Europe and I think in terms of revamping, our relationship with Europe, Germany is an important player,” she said. While there are some German companies already operating in Rwanda, Mushikiwabo said Rwanda and the larger EAC market yearn for more investments, especially in the areas of transport and energy. “There is a lot for both countries to do,” Mushikiwabo said. Apart from the economy, the two ministers also discussed issues of security, especially in eastern DR Congo where the FDLR militia keeps a lethal presence. Both diplomats urged the UN mission in the DR Congo (Monusco) to deliver on its mission to disarm the militia. Mushikiwabo said Rwanda wants to see results in return to stability in eastern DR Congo; while Steinmeier said he had hope that decision makers in Monusco would be successful in neutralising the FDLR.

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Rwanda investments attractive - German minister