French businesses urged to invest in Rwanda

KIGALI - Different top officials from Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Private Sector Federation (PSF), on Friday met over 20 senior executives of French companies to explain to them the investment opportunities in Rwanda. The event, which was facilitated by the Rwandan embassy in Paris, saw RDB boss, John Gara and PSF president, Robert Bayigamba meet and discuss with the French business executives the advantages of expanding their businesses to Rwanda. According to a statement from the embassy, this meeting was also attended by the French envoy to Rwanda, Laurent Contini. During the meeting, the French were updated on the ongoing reforms that the country is undertaking as a way of easing opening up a business in Rwanda. “The Rwandan delegation outlined the facilities offered by the country like market access, one stop centre, tax preferences, labor market flexibility, investor protection and free flow of trade among others,” reads the statement. The meeting also highlighted priority areas for investments in Rwanda and these included food, energy, tourism and transport. “Both sides agreed to a French companies’ delegation visit to Kigali with a view to sign a partnership agreement in early 2011,” reads the statement. Embassies were re-opened in both capitals less than a year ago, two years after Rwanda’s decision to recall its envoy in Paris and expelling the French ambassador, following the controversial indictments that were issued by French judge, Jean-Louis Bruguiere, against senior Rwandan government officials. The resulting arrest warants have since been lifted, by two other French Judges, Trévidic Marc and Nathalie Poux. “The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda considers the judge’s decision (To lift the arrest warrants) as a step towards dismissal of the case,” a statement from the embassy read. Ends

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French businesses urged to invest in Rwanda