The journey towards V 2020

The government of National unity has built a strong foundation/ a platform for the private sector encompassing local and international business and investment ventures. Having waived the tariff and non tariff barriers, Rwanda now becomes a fertile ground for entrepreneurial activities. It is now upon we, Rwandans to embrace this golden opportunity, besides, foreign investors have already gladly and profitably utilized this platform thanks to the government of national unity and vision 2020. Sunday Times’ Richard NKUBITO caught up with Andrew MUTAGANDA the Director of Motel Hilltop and Country club for an interview. According to Mr. Andrew, we need to be job creators and not job seekers because the government of national unity has already set the platform. Below are the detailed excerpts; Qn. Will you kindly introduce yourself to the Sunday Times’ readers?A. I’m Andrew MUTANGANA. I’m the Director of Motel Hilltop and country club. Motel Hilltop and country club is still a young business, just two and a half years old but we are steadily growing. Qn. What’s your take on V 2020?A. First of all let me take this opportunity to thank our government of national unity for the tremendous achievements made. Look at the flow of investors and tourists from all over the world, all this is as a result of setting good goals and objectives and I think if we maintain this pace, we shall achieve the vision 2020 objective of becoming a medium economy. Qn. One of the key objectives of the vision is for Rwanda to become a medium economy by 2020. How does “Hilltop” translate its daily activities in achieving the noble objective? A. This is also our vision; we intend to become a medium economy even before 2020, with our employees and our clients. In this regard, we provide employment especially to the youth. We have both permanent and temporary employees. Besides employing them, we upgrade their skills through in-house training. We have an expert in hotel management, a Rwandan who trained in Utali school of Hotel Management in Kenya who trains our employees. Qn. Any challenges so far? A. The main challenge like anywhere else in this country is lack of skills. We have not yet acquired enough skills to suit the existing demand especially in the Hotel industry. We have tried to solve this through in-house training as already mentioned above. Qn. What is your message to the entire community as regards the vision? A. The year 2020 is at the door way, given the platform of good governance; let all Rwandans strive to be job creators not job seekers. The government of national unity has done much and we really appreciate, it is now our turn to stand up and get into entrepreneurship and if we are united, together we shall make vision 2020 a reality. I must also on behalf of fellow entrepreneurs send a vote of thanks to the Rwandan banks; they have really helped in making our dreams come true. For comments, questions, supplements please contact: iyimanzi@gmail.com