Six envoys present credentials

Six new diplomatic representatives accredited to Rwanda yesterday formally presented their credentials to President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro.They included the High Commissioners of South Africa, Nigeria, India, and Ambassadors of Italy, South Korea and Ethiopia.First to present credentials was India’s envoy, Saumendra Nath Ray, who told journalists that during his mandate, he would focus on cementing the bilateral ties in the areas of human resource development, education, and health, service sectors like information technology and Mobile Telecommunication among others.“Rwanda and India continue to enjoy strong friendly relations and I will embark on fostering this relationship to greater heights,” he said.The new envoy, who is based in the Ugandan capital Kampala, outlined a wide range of projects in Rwanda supported by the India government. They include Nyabarongo Hydro Power project, telemedicine and tele-education.He noted that next month, an Indian hospital specialising in eye treatment will set up its branch in Rwanda.The new Italian envoy, Stefano Antonio Dejak said: “I strongly believe that the important thing is to develop economic relationship between Rwanda and Italy by bringing capital knowhow to new markets that were not considered before.”He stated that during his tenure, he will strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of agriculture, tourism and business investment opportunities.Dejak has a permanent residence in Kampala, Uganda.The Kampala based Ethiopian Ambassador, Degefe Bula Wakjera, said Rwanda and Ethiopia have a strong historical bilateral relations. “Both countries have been working together at regional and international affairs,” he said.“There are many things Ethiopia can learn from Rwanda and I will ensure that we share experiences, ideas and skills in various fields”.South Africa’s new High Commissioner, George Nkosinati Twala, said during his stay, he would focus on cementing bilateral cooperation.“The relationship between the two countries has been excellent and I will cement it further. During my term of office, I want to learn from Agaciro Development Fund and be able introduce it in our country because as Rwandans and South Africans, we can stand together and make a better life,” he said.Twala noted he will embark on promoting business exchanges between the two countries.The Nigerian High Commissioner, Ayibakuro Peter Ogide-Oke, and Korean Ambassador Hwang Soon-Taik, both said that they will strengthen cooperation between their countries and Rwanda in the areas of business investment opportunities.“Rwanda is one of our priority countries in Africa that we will promote capacity building in various sectors and increase business and cultural exchanges,” noted the Korean.

National

Six envoys present credentials