Rwanda, Poland sign deals in trade, green technologies

Rwanda and Poland on, February 7, signed cooperation agreements aimed at bolstering bilateral ties in various fields including trade and green technologies. The signing comes as part of Polish President Andrzej Duda state visit to Rwanda on February 6, where he is expected to conduct several engagements in line with cementing ties between both countries. ALSO READ: Bilateral relations: Unpacking Rwanda-Poland ties He comes to Rwanda following his visit to Kenya and will then head to Tanzania after his stay. This is part of the Polish international mission initiated in 2017 to build relations with African countries. Both Heads of State, President Paul Kagame and his counterpart Duda, presided over the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) for trade and economic cooperation and another in the fields of green technologies, environmental engineering, geology, and energy efficiency. Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta and Andrzej Szejna, Polish Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed the agreements. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Poland sign three pacts to enhance cooperation In his address, Kagame said that the development of the sectors upon which the agreements were signed, is critical to becoming resilient and adapting to new reality of intersecting global shocks. “We have accomplished a lot together, the diplomatic presence in our respective countries will only serve to accelerate and solidify the good progress we are making.” Even though one country might benefit more than the other because of differences in responsibilities ,Kagame emphasized the overall expectation to build together and forward. On the other hand, President Duda noted that both Rwanda and Poland have societies of hardworking people and at the same time understand the worth of work. “We are searching for credible partners in African countries, especially those who subscribe to values we share. Together with our complicated we do not doubt that in Rwanda we find understanding and friends, in this respect,” he said. According to him, the ties will further be deepened by the increasing number of Rwandan youth studying in Poland. He also extended an invitation for interested Rwandans to enroll in military studies offered in the country. In efforts to streamline the implementation of the agreements and other ongoing economic projects between the two nations, Kagame and Duda are expected to join a roundtable discussion with Polish and Rwandan business leaders where they will further discuss potential opportunities and address existing challenges in this regard. Both Heads of State expressed optimism regarding this forum, stating that it will enable both people to drive further the bilateral relations by leveraging sector-specific opportunities in both countries. In December 2022, during the Rwanda-Poland Business Forum held in Kigali, Polish and Rwandan businesses explored investment opportunities in various areas including education, finance, ICT and health, agro-processing, and mining. Within the aspect of bilateral relations, Rwanda positions itself as a gateway to Africa, whereas the local private sector could leverage Poland as a gateway to expand and diversify the export market into more European countries. Diplomatically, Rwanda opened its Embassy in Warsaw in 2021, and Poland reciprocated by opening an Embassy in Rwanda. As part of his agenda, the Polish President and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda will also lay a wreath at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to honor the over one million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and tour the School and Education Centre for Visually Impaired Children in Kibeho, Southern Province, as well as the Polish Mining Company, LuNa Smelter in Kigali.

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Rwanda, Poland sign deals in trade, green technologies