Every nation has a year that it can point to and claim it as the year when the foundations for progress were set down. In Rwanda, 2003 was such a year. Apart from a referendum that enacted the country’s first democratic and non-discriminatory constitution, the first ever democratic Presidential elections were also held in the same year. President Paul Kagame emerged the overwhelming victor in these elections receiving over 95% of the popular vote.

The Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA) identifies with this show of genuine democracy, especially the electoral platform of President Kagame’s campaign expressed in three words; Unity, Democracy and Development. Indeed, it is difficult for national unity and democracy to thrive in the absence of development, and the reverse is also true- to achieve development, tenets of unity and democracy are its foundations. As the agency responsible for promoting investment and exports, RIEPA is at the forefront of ensuring that economic development becomes a reality to Rwandans. President Kagame’s visionary leadership inspires RIEPA to execute this responsibility with passion and zeal. In this objective, RIEPA has recorded immense success. Take for example the growth registered from 2005 to 2006 in both investments registered and the value of exports earned.

Last year alone, RIEPA registered Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) worth over 120 million US dollars (USD) that created 1,708 jobs for Rwandans. Local investments were valued at 125.5 million USD, creating 3,367 jobs, which reflects increased confidence of Rwandans in their country. In 2006, RIEPA registered 69 projects representing a 140% increase from 2005, when 29 projects were registered. In total, by 2006, up from 2000, RIEPA had registered over 300 projects worth over Frw 600 billion.

The level of increase clearly shows the growing confidence that investors have in Rwanda, and this confidence will surely soar, given Government’s increased commitment to improve Rwanda as an extremely attractive investment destination. In the export sector, Rwanda saw a 20.5% increase from 2005 to 2006 with revenues going from 146 million USD to 176 million USD. The premier investor’s friend RIEPA continues to coordinate activities aimed at increasing investments and exports in the country.

Rwanda is indeed an attractive place to do business. Government is committed to creating a market economy through encouraging and motivating investment, supported by a very low incidence of corruption, a low crime rate and a temperate climate fit for the cultivation of most kinds of crops. Investors are also drawn to Rwanda by her central position and access to large markets in neighbouring countries plus an irresistible investment regime. One of RIEPA’s objectives is to promote these strengths to investors and exporters both local and foreign, and aim to address challenges faced such as energy costs, land-lockedness, availability of skills, access to finance through business solutions.

Investment opportunities are abundant including sectors such as manufacturing, Tourism, Horticulture, Sericulture, floriculture, Agro-processing, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), energy, construction, property development and financial service.

RIEPA salutes H.E the President and the Rwanda population working daily to make the 2003 election promise a reality. However, like unity and democracy, development has to be brought about by an entire nation’s people. RIEPA shall do its part by continuing to promote development through attracting investment and making every effort to boost export revenues.

Success is already evident and the RIEPA promise is to steadfastly uphold the pledge of Rwandans in 2003. Salute to your Excellency President Paul Kagame, and salute to the Unity, Democracy and Development of Rwanda.

London to Host Rwanda EU Expo
The first ever Europe-wide Rwanda Investment conference & exhibition will take place in London on October 3rd 2007. The theme for Rwanda Expo in Europe2007 (REE’07) is “Unveiling a New Rwanda to the World”.  The one-day event, organised by Rwanda Diaspora Investment (RDI) Ltd, in partnership with the Rwandan Embassy in London and Rwanda Investment & Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA), is aimed at bringing together Rwandan business community and their European counterpart to exchange ideas, discuss mutual projects and build long-term  business networks and partnerships. The event is also intended to give opportunity to Rwandan companies and agencies to promote their products and services not only to the increasingly influential Rwandan Diaspora community, but also to EU markets, and to promote Rwanda as a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and tourist destination.

On the sidelines of the investment conference, which will take place at the Royal Institute of British Architects in central London and is expected to attract high-profile political and corporate leaders from both Rwanda and EU, there will be an exhibition of Rwandan products and services to expose them to the European consumers.

Organisers say the conference bit will be dedicated to explaining Rwanda’s investment climate , opportunities and incentives to EU investors, through speeches and presentations by corporate and government leaders, while the exhibition will showcase Rwandan products and services and there will be one-on-one meetings and deal-making opportunities. “London is the undisputed deal-making centre & financial capital of the world and there is a lot of capital here looking for investment exit to emerging markets. We want to position Rwanda as one of the best and well-managed emerging markets in Africa” an RDI official said. “We are determined to completely reverse our country’s image here as a war-ravaged, ethnically divided and an object of charity, to a country ready and capable to conducting serious business with the rest of the world” he emphasised.

The event was originally planned for 17th & 18th September and moved to October due to other competing activities.

 Stalls for exhibition are very limited and will be allocated to companies representing priority sectors according to RIEPA’s investment guidelines.

Rwandan companies and organisations are called upon to find further details and to register their interests at www.investinrwanda.co.uk. Details are also available with RIEPA in Kigali.

All enquiries about this expo should be directed to rdi@investinrwanda.co.uk