Rwandan and German officials have expressed interest to promote and boost business and investment ties between the two countries. The remarks were made during the event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990 following the fall of the Berlin Wall and communism. “I regrettably see little progress on the business dimension. That is why at the moment a delegation of the Rwandan Development Board is visiting Germany to promote investment in Rwanda. I hope that this will create some momentum to increase business, trade and investment in both directions,” Peter Fahrenholtz, the German ambassador to Rwanda remarked at the event in Kigali. Minister for Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba said previously German investors had little knowledge about Rwanda, but this has changed. “We have for example, one who manufactures construction materials. We have others who have come to assess how mining and agro-industry sectors operate and we hope more will come following bilateral agreements,” he said. Chief guest Dr Papias Malimba Musafiri, the minister for Education, remarked that the two countries shared similar history and values such as unity, reconciliation, freedom, democracy and peace. He also appreciated German assistance in the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. “Supporting TVET will promote other investments. When those investors come in Rwanda, they also ask for Rwandan skilled labour and it is the TVET graduates that will provide those skills. This year we have more than 80 students in Germany training in different skills,” he said. Musafiri also called for increased cultural exchange and bilateral consultation on peace and security. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
