"Public and Private Sector Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment" Visit to Rwanda (26th to 28th August, 2014)
Mr. Ishihara and the Mission paying a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Kagame
(Photo: The Presidential Office)
From 26th to 28th of August, a "Public and Private Sector Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment" headed by H.E. Mr. Hirotaka Ishihara, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan visited Rwanda. Dispatching this Mission is one of policies for promoting trade and investment between Japan and Africa, which was stated at the TICAD IV in 2008, and this was the 8th Mission. For Rwanda, a total of 47 members from 14 Private companies, independent administrative institutions and government agencies participated.
On 27th morning, the Mission exchanged views with Rwandan high leaderships including Hon. Gatete, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Amb. Kambanda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Mr. Hategeka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry at the working session and during the lunch hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
In the afternoon, a Seminar for Promoting Trade and Investment was held and approximately 100 people of the Mission, Rwandan government officials and Rwandan public and private companies participated. Following explanations on investment opportunities in Rwanda by Hon. Gatare, CEO of RDB, other staff member of RDB and Private Sector Federation (PSF), five Japanese companies also made presentations, and participants had thematic B to B session at the end.
In the evening, Ambassador Ogawa hosted a reception and guests including Hon. Kanimba, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nsanganira, Minister of State in charge of Agriculture, Rwandan government officials and private companies as well as International organizations and Japanese residents had active exchange of information and views.
On 28th, Mr. Ishihara and the Mission paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic, and exchanged views toward a further strengthening bilateral economic relationship including private sectors.
(Left: Mr. Ishihara, Amb. Ogawa, Hon. Minister Gatete and Amb. Kambanda at the Working Session, Right: Japanese businessman making a comment）
(Left: Japanese company giving their presentation, Right: Participants after the seminar)
(Left: Mr. Ishihara giving his speech at the reception, Right: Hon. Minister Kanimba and other guests)
The Mission visited a factory of Utexrwa S.A., the largest textile company in Rwanda on 27th, the Kigali Special Economic Zone (Phase1) and two factories (agriculture processing and paper bags) inside of the SEZ on 28th. Also RDB guided them inside and explained the procedure for starting businesses in Rwanda on 28th. On 27th, H.E. Mr. Ishihara visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center and laid a wreath for remembrance of the victims.
(Left: Mission members visiting Utexrwa, Right: Visiting SEZ)
(Left: H.E. Mr. Ishihara laid a wreath at the Genocide Memorial Center, Right: Mission members visiting RDB)