The Parliamentary Delegation of the House of Councilors to research Japan’s Official Development Assistance (September 25 to 27, 2018) visited Rwanda
2018/9/28
From September 25 to 27, the Parliamentary Delegation of the House of Councilors to research Japan’s Official Development Assistance, which consists of Mr. Shingo Miyake (head of delegation), Mr. Kentaro Asahi and Ms. Tomo Iwabuchi. They inspected Japan’s ODA project sites and evaluated their results.
On September 25, the delegation paid a visit to Honorable Uwera, Minister of State in charge of economic planning, as well as Honorable Rurangirwa, Minister of ICT. They exchanged opinions in various aspects such as the evaluation of Japan’s development cooperation, Rwanda’s relations with China and other countries, and the expectation from Japan’s future ODA projects.
On September 25, the delegation paid a visit to Honorable Uwera, Minister of State in charge of economic planning, as well as Honorable Rurangirwa, Minister of ICT. They exchanged opinions in various aspects such as the evaluation of Japan’s development cooperation, Rwanda’s relations with China and other countries, and the expectation from Japan’s future ODA projects.
On September 26, they visited the Eastern Province, inspecting the results of the three ODA projects: “Project for the Construction of the Rusumo International Bridge and One Stop Border Post Facilities”, “Rusumo-Kayonza Road Improvement Project,” and “Project for Rural Water Supply (Phase 1).” On each project site, the delegation was briefed by responsible organizations (Rusumo Immigration and Emigration Control, Rwanda Transport Development Authority, and Water and Sanitation Cooperation) and the local beneficiaries, who thankfully explained how the ODA projects have improved the well-being of the local population and revitalize the interregional trade. Furthermore, the delegation met six JOCV volunteers who are active in the Eastern Province, encouraging them for further contribution to improving the livelihood of local communities.
In the evening, the delegation had a meeting with Ms. Clarisse Iribagiza, the founder of the ICT venture company HeHe, talking about such as her decision to start up her company, its activities, and challenges entrepreneurs face in starting new businesses in Rwanda.
Afterwards, the delegation held a meeting with representatives of nine Japanese companies based in Rwanda. They explained to the delegation their activities and areas of interest of the companies. In a frank and vivid conversation, the delegation asked them about their decision to establish their companies in Rwanda, the advantages and challenges for starting businesses in this country, and their perspective in the future.
Afterwards, the delegation held a meeting with representatives of nine Japanese companies based in Rwanda. They explained to the delegation their activities and areas of interest of the companies. In a frank and vivid conversation, the delegation asked them about their decision to establish their companies in Rwanda, the advantages and challenges for starting businesses in this country, and their perspective in the future.
On September 27, the delegation held talks with Honorable Gatete, Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Miyake, the head of the delegation, said that he has a good impression that in Rwanda, Japan’s ODA was utilized in the most effective way. Honorable Gatete showcased Japan’s cooperation projects in various sectors such as energy, water and transportation infrastructure, assuring the delegation that the Rwandan government and population are very thankful to the Japanese population for their assistance and expressed his intention of deepening the fruitful cooperation further.
Subsequently, the delegation went to the Kigali Special Economic Zone to attend the completion ceremony of the Project for Improvement of Substations and Distribution Network (Phase 2), together with Ambassador Miyashita and Honorable Kamayirese, Minister of State in charge of energy, water and sanitation.
Subsequently, the delegation went to the Kigali Special Economic Zone to attend the completion ceremony of the Project for Improvement of Substations and Distribution Network (Phase 2), together with Ambassador Miyashita and Honorable Kamayirese, Minister of State in charge of energy, water and sanitation.
Finally, a volleyball donation ceremony was held in which Mr. Kentaro Asahi, a former national volleyball player of Japan, gave Japanese volleyballs to the Ruhango Volleyball Club, where a JOCV volunteer, Mr. Watanabe, is training Rwandan volleyball players. Mr. Asahi said: “While I was travelling around the globe as a professional volleyball player, I noticed with my own eyes that it is a rare case for children to play sports using balls of good quality. That is why I was determined to donate volleyballs to African children in collaboration with a Japanese volleyball maker.I sincerely expect that every Rwandan will be able to enjoy sports in their daily life in near future.”
This visit offered all the delegates meaningful opportunities to realize the speed of Rwanda’s economic growth and the scale of the impact Japan’s ODA projects have had on its socio-economic development.
This visit offered all the delegates meaningful opportunities to realize the speed of Rwanda’s economic growth and the scale of the impact Japan’s ODA projects have had on its socio-economic development.