Category: Rwandan Diaspora Meeting in Paris

After the end of President Paul Kagame’s two day official visit to France, the Head of State met with the France Business community under Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF)-the organization of business associates in France and challenged them to invest their businesses in Rwanda.

The foreign investment is intended to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries as were also emphasized during the roundtable talks by the three Rwandan Ministers Louise Mushikiwabo, Foreign Affairs Minister, François Kanimba of MINICOM, and Tharcisse Karugarama, the Minister of Justice along with John Gara of RDB in a press briefing.

Gara said that the French business in Rwanda is still low and that they count not more than U.S$3.5. He added that after the Presidential visit, a lot will be transformed and new investments from France are to crown Rwanda’s fastest growing business environment.

The communications Office from the France’s Presidents’ office had during the trip issued a communiqué anticipating investing almost 42 million Euros (est. Frw36b) in Rwanda soon.

Minister Kanimba said the talks are underway to find selected sectors in Rwanda for the France business community to invest in. The minister said that they will invest in tourism sector, Methane gas, facilitate the construction of the new International Airport, construction of the railway transport that will connect Rwanda to the Indian Ocean, and the gold mining construction among others.

For the new International Airport construction and other infrastructures, the government of Rwanda put the system of allowing the private investors to contribute which will earn them a lot of profits.

Kanimba also recommended the exportation of tea, gold, coffee, flowers to France.

According to a press statement from the office of the Government Spokesperson released prior to the trip, the visit followed the French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s visit to Rwanda in February 2010 that marked a major step forward in diplomatic relations with France, that were renewed at the end of 2009, and it was the Kagame’s first official visit to France since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, where Rwanda has accused France of complicity in massacres, an accusation which Paris always and continuously denies.

President Paul Kagame has told over 3700 Rwandan Diaspora in Paris, France Sunday evening that meeting them is one of his responsibilities as a Rwandan leader.

“It’s one of my responsibilities to meet and dialogue with all Rwandans. When I meet you, it’s another step forward to our country’s progress. Whenever I meet you, I usually tell you and will repeat, Rwandans are one. Even though there are minor differences between us, the bottom line we are all one.”

Kagame was speaking to the Diaspora at E.M.G.P in the “Le Dock Pullmann” complex under the theme, ‘Equality and Brighter Future’.

However, Kagame discussed that ‘the constructive politics I know and used to, allows a difference of people but it reminds them of a point of convergence.’

He added that Rwandans have the same opportunities, ‘If one doesn’t want it this way that’s up to them. And I know those who want it are many. Rwanda is for all Rwandans. No Rwandan should have more opportunities than others.’

Kagame explained that ‘We can have the same opportunities but we may have differing capacities, however,those with more capacity should help those with less capacity to also achieve progress.’

The attentive gathering was told by the eloquent Kagame that ‘No Rwandan wants to sleep hungry. I do not know of any tribe, race and ethnicity in the world that do not need to have a better life. In Rwanda we should have a better life. We want a Rwanda for all people.’

We should not keep in the bondage of history. We have transcended such bad politics. Those who are still in such politics of shame are also shameful. You shouldn’t waste time. They derive value from wasting your time.

We must use your time on constructive issues. We should spend our time building our society.

Kagame told the religious faithful that even if one prays, ask God to help you fight Ignorance, illiteracy and poverty however; you should also work for all you pray for.

All the problems we went through and others ahead, it’s not because God forgot about us…but we might have misused the chances or opportunities God gave us.

Can God give you people and then you divide them, kill them. What would you harvest from this? God gave us a Rwanda, and then we destroyed it. We should change and I think we have since changed and transcended the past.

The long distances you have travelled are a sign that you have transcended the past. Opportunities strike once in a while so you should utilize the opportunity once it’s available. We must use the current opportunities available to work together as a nation and transform our country for the better future.

We want to be identified as people always finding solutions but not always causing trouble.

Kagame noted to the congregation living in Diaspora that ‘This is not your home. Tell me whether there are no problems here in Europe.’

Meanwhile, President Kagame will meet French president Nicholas Sarkozy tomorrow Monday.

President Kagame said his visit to France is meant to cement ties and thus this would speed up the processing of files of cases of genocide suspects living in France.

“The pursuance of these issues has been ongoing under the liasion of the Justice ministry of Rwanda. However, my meeting with the President Sarkozy will just help speeding up the process,” Kagame said while responding to a question from a member in the audience.

John Gara, the CEO of RDB has today told the Diaspora Rwandans in Paris France that Rwanda is open for business and has urged them to ‘bring your money back home and invest’. When you start a project in Rwanda you will have contributed to nation building.

‘If you want to invest in Rwanda we shall handle you with close care. We want you to feel the connection you have with your country. It’s easy to start your business in only 24hours. You can be on a flight to Kigali following day register your business and third day fly back.’

Gara told the Diaspora that Rwanda is a third Country in Africa among the most competitive after South Africa and Mauritius.

The speakers are enumerating the major milestones Rwanda has achieved since 17years ago including; security, doing business, women participation in governance, human rights, Equality, justice, unity, good leadership and a national Vision 2020 and most especially the trust citizens have in the Rwanda Leadership.