Weekly Review

Karega calls for investing in the mining sector The Minister of State for Minerals and Natural Resources was early this week quoted saying that potential exists in the Rwandan mining sector and urged investors to venture into excavation of the natural resources. He said that a big part of Rwanda is covered with mineral resources. He further revealed that the only challenge is lack of capacity to fully exploit these resources. Karega was addressing a delegation of visitors from the US led by US Ambassador to Rwanda, Stuart Symington, at the Ministry Headquarters in Kimihurura. The Americans had come with the intention of finding out more about Rwanda’s mining sector. Kagame attends Kenya’s prayer breakfast President Paul Kagame was chief guest at the 7th National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. While there, he called for homegrown initiatives in handling problems other than waiting for external interventions which don’t provide required solutions. He is reported to have told the audience that real solutions can never come from anywhere else other than within. Adding, according to press reports, that it is only the leaders and citizens of such nations that can fully grasp the high stakes involved – and as such, only they possess the power and tools to arrest the disintegration of their nations. The function was also attended by delegations from Uganda, Somalia, Ghana, Singapore, United States of America, Tanzania, Burundi, Israel, South Korea and the United Kingdom. It is held annually. Parliament passes amended media bill The Lower Chamber of Parliament passed the much awaited Media Bill. This was after the political affairs committee accepted all amendments proposed by the President. The legislators in the lower house unanimously passed the bill adopting all four amendments that the President suggested in four articles in the bill. The amendments include article 2 in paragraph 7 which gives the green light to practicing scribes to continue the trade without necessary having studied communication or journalism as it has been proposed in the earlier bill. The bill will now be sent to the senate before going to the President to sign into law. Kigali International airport to be expanded Kigali International Airport- Kanombe is set for a facelift. This was revealed this week by the Minister of Infrastructure, Linda Bihire, during the presentation of the design of the New Bugesera International Airport (NBIA) by a British engineering firm, TPS Consult. TPS Consult is also contracted to come up with a work design for Kanombe airport rehabilitation works. Bihire said the move to renovate and expand the oldest airfield in the country, is aimed at modernising its services and match them with the demands of the country’s vision. It was also reported that design works on the ongoing project to construct the New Bugesera International Airport (NBIA) have been completed by 60 per cent. Rwanda, South Korea enter investment pact The Governments of Rwanda and South Korea this week signed an agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investors on both sides, in a bid to support investment in the two countries. The pact contains legal and policy frameworks and is an understanding between the two countries to promote and protect investors from either country while carrying out their investments. Foreign affairs Minister Rosemary Museminali signed on behalf of Rwanda while the Korean ambassador Kim Young- Jun signed on behalf of his country. Ends