Kagame receives Indian minister

President Paul Kagame yesterday received in his office the visiting Indian State Minister for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur.They discussed bilateral ties as well as the Indo-Africa Partnership (IAP) under which India has committed $5 billion for Africa.The deal, which involves a grant of $700 million and loan schemes, was announced during the IAP forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in May last year. Kaur, who arrived in the country on Tuesday for a two-day visit with a delegation of 22 Indian business leaders, Wednesday signed pacts with the government on renewable energy and solar electrification in 35 rural-based schools.She stated that Indian programmes in Africa will focus on human resource development, capacity building, agriculture, ICT, hydro-power irrigation, among others.The state minister said Rwanda is a “very friendly country with conducive business investment climate.She said that was the main reason why many Indian companies are interested in investing in the country.“Yesterday we signed cooperation agreements with the Rwandan government and immediately proposed that the first joint permanent commission meeting be held in New Delhi,” she noted.“The Head of State was very supportive and positive in the talks we had and we are optimistic and sure that things will go in a very smooth manner as planned”.Of recent, there have been significant business engagements between the two countries, including business missions on either side.India’s telecom giant, Airtel, last year announced its entry into the Rwandan market and intends to invest $130 million in the near future.Another Indian firm, Rajesh Exports, through a subsidiary firm, acquired gold mining concessions and plans to invest $ 550 million in mineral exploration, while McLeod Russel has invested in the tea sector.The Indian business leaders travelling with the minister explored investment opportunities in the country, including the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).The government seeks to create a fully functioning Special Economic Zone by 2015, where traders can enjoy from more free-market-oriented practices.

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Kagame receives Indian minister