10 firms eye investing in Rwanda

At the peak of the recently concluded 2nd East African Investment Conference (EAIC) held in Kenya, over ten regional companies expressed interest in investing in Rwanda. This was revealed by the deputy CEO of RDB, Claire Akamanzi, during a press briefing at the Ministry of East African Affairs. “By the end of the conference, over ten companies had expressed interest in investing in Rwanda. we met them and they said they would visit soon to find out more on that possibility,” Akamanzi said. She further revealed that investors were moved by the incentives and other conditions the government has set up to support the private sector and the business community as a whole. According to Akamanzi, RDB talked to, among others, Equity Bank, Prime Bank, Kencall, Nation Media Group and Contour Global company which is ready to invest up to USD 300 million in the energy sector. “We told them that the doors are open in Rwanda, and Nation Media Group confirmed they would start operations in 2010.” The Minister for East African affairs, Monique Mukaruliza, pointed out that the investment forum was pleased with the way Rwanda is handling the implementation of the regional economic integration. During the EAIC, the Rwandan entourage presented how regional integration issues, especially those linked to business, are progressing. Reduction of non-tariff barriers, the seriousness with which government is handling cross-border investment, Common Market and measures of controlling counterfeit were also discussed. Among the fields which were seen to have a lot of potential were tourism, energy and IT. Ends