More investments expected following minister’s visit

Members of the Indian Community living in Rwanda are very optimistic that more Indian investors are going to flood the Rwandan market.Dinesh Kalyani, the Chairman of Indian Association of Rwanda (INAR), made the remarks Thursday night during a get together party that was hosted by the association to welcome Preneet Kaur, the Indian State Minister for External Affairs who was in the country for a two-day visit.INAR provides a common identity to the Indian community in Rwanda through the promotion of unity, friendship and goodwill based on mutual understanding and cooperation.Kaur, who left the country on Friday, came with a delegation of 22 Indian business leaders and signed pacts with the government on renewable energy and solar electrification in 35 rural-based schools.“It’s our pleasure to welcome our minister in Rwanda. It gives us more courage to strengthen the Indian community living here,” he said.Kalyani mentioned that there are about 1500 Indians living in Rwanda who are engaged in various business activities.“We hope to see more Indian investors coming to Rwanda because of our minister’s visit which symbolised stronger ties between this country and India,” the INAR Chairman asserted.During the event, Kaur called upon the community to continue deepening the bilateral relations between both countries.“Feel free while conducting your businesses in this country; this is your second home,” he told the Indians.She commended the community for playing a key role in helping India to create friendly ties with Rwanda.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.Others are Karnataka Enterprises which is working with the Ministry of Agriculture to invest over $8 million in rice growing, processing and packaging and Punj Lloyd which is interested in peat to power, health as well as real estate projects.