Rwanda eyes stronger economic ties

Rwanda, one of Africa’s most admired economies of the last decade, says it wants to boost trade relations with Ghana and establish various businesses in the country.

There is very little trade between the two countries. In 2010, nothing was exported to Rwanda from Ghana and only US$18,000 worth of goods was exported in 2012 to Rwanda, available trade statistics show.

But according to a 32-member business delegation in Accra from the Rwanda Private Sector Federation,their country wants to explore investment opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, construction of infrastructure, real-estate development, tourism, telecommunication, ICT, oil and gas, mining and quarrying.

The Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) received the delegation and said the business trip is to enable both parties to share experiences, market information and new business technologies as well as build capacity in various areas. 

Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations, Seth Adjei Baah, President of GCCI, said the visit will help establish mutual cooperation and a partnership targetted at deepening trade and economic ties.

He commended Rwanda for the decision of RwandaAir, its national airline, to fly to Accra -- saying it is a strategic move capable of easing trade and investment barriers between the two countries.

Mr. Denis Karera, Honorary Consul of Ghana in Rwanda, expressed the Consulate’s readiness to assist any Ghanaian who wants to do business in Rwanda.

He said Rwanda has emerged as an economic success in Africa with impressive economic growth averaging 7.2 percent in the past half-decade, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. This is greatly attributed to the private sector, which has been positioned as the main driver of the country’s economy.

Mr. Benjamin Gasanagera, Chairman of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation, stated that the prime objective of the trip is for Rwandan businessmen and women to learn from their counterparts in Ghana and to explore business opportunities for investment.

“The development of Africa’s economy largely depends on Africans, hence the need to improve on investment and trade relations among African countries,” he said.

He commended Ghana for its conducive trade and investment climate, which enticed them to visit, learn and explore avenues for cooperation.

He said Rwanda has done a lot to ensure the sustainability of its economy, adding that the country will never plunge into civil war again as happened in the 1990s.

He said due to the government’s commitment toward creating a good business environment, one can register his/her business within six hours in the East African country.

“Rwanda is also recognised as the most competitive and best place to do business in East Africa, due to our government’s commitment to the private sector,” he added.

The Rwanda Private Sector Federation has a membership of 10,000 and is the mouthpiece of private businesses in Rwanda.