The theme of this year’s season is “Forests – A Pillar of Sustainable Development”. Across the country, seedlings will be planted on more than 50,000 hectares as part of the 2017/18 Forest Planting Season.
During the season, a total of 3,253.95 hectares of forests will be planted, a total of 45,729.95 hectares of agroforestry will be planted and an area of 768 hectares of degraded forests will be rehabilitated.
To support the sustainable management of state forests, 5,350 hectares will be transferred to private investors through concession and co-management agreements.
The Government of Rwanda will use this Forest Planting Season as a chance to encourage citizens to invest in forestry, use less charcoal and adopt alternative sources of energy such as gas and solar.
To help reduce the use of biomass as a source of energy; 19,317 improved cook stoves are being distributed in Gatsibo District, thanks to support from the Rwanda Green Fund.
Rwanda’s forests cover 696,402 hectares (29.6%) of the country’s total land area. Over 258,000 hectares are natural forests and savannah. The forestry sector contributes significantly to Rwanda’s economy.
The awarding ceremony took place 22nd October, 2017 in Paris, France. The award was given to different companies from 65 countries from across the World. In East African Countries, only Rwandan and Kenyan based companies managed to secure the award.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Gorilla Logistics Ltd Managing Director, Fred Seka said the company dedicates the award to Rwandans as it is a result of government’s programmes aimed at facilitating private investors.
“We dedicate it to Rwandans because it comes from government’s programmes that promote competitiveness among local investors to the international level” he said.
The award is an initiative of Business Initiative Directions, international allied companies conducting research in clearance and shipping services.
Every year, they award best service provider companies in customs clearance and goods shipping services from different countries.
According to Seka, in Rwanda three small companies providing such services were scrutinized and Gorilla logistics Ltd emerged the best.
“They conducted research in our clients. We were not aware of the exercise but finally we realized how clients appreciate our services by enabling us taking home this international award” Seka boasts.
He said that the award is a result of collaboration between staff during the monitoring of services offered to clients, “we always insure that no client get delayed services or claim poor services from us”
They also consider, the role of a company in the economy of the country and development of its residents through job creation as well as employees’ welfare, he explained.
He said that being a Rwandan company run by Rwandans and offer international services is another advantage that made them win the award.
Last year, Gorilla Logistics Ltd scooped the same award from Business Initiative Directions.
Gorilla Logistics Ltd started operation in 2008 with three employees but today, the company employs between 27 and 30. It operates from all Rwanda’s border posts as well as at the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Mrs Kagame was speaking Thursday in the 10th Forum of Unity Club in Kigali.
She said that women had been there for household chores, but the uniqueness of Rwanda’s history has enabled them to go beyond.
“We need not to limit our abilities to home chores, we should go beyond that, by taking responsibilities that will help us protect our country’s from falling back into the dark times” she said.
Under the 10th forum of Unity Club, members are discussing about Rwanda’s uniqueness and meeting the development targets.
She said that Rwanda’s journey and its history have enabled togetherness which resulted into uniqueness.
First Lady said that they developed activities and political ideas that enable harmonization among Rwandans.
“We also clarify the root cause of evil that undermined the country and put in place never again measures” she said.
“Being the essence of unity and reconciliation gives us strengths to continue building Rwandanhood. When there is someone contrary to that ideology we should give them much attention, as light holders we should follow and change them so that they join our journey” she urged participants.
She reminded them to focus on their responsibilities under National Strategy for Transformation vision.
“How do we attain uniqueness light and making particularity in our responsibilities? As light holders, what should characterize us as people who changed lifestyle and economy of a Rwandan?” she challenged Unity Club Members.
{{18 new members welcomed in the club}}
In her remarks, First Lady welcomed 18 new members saying that they brought new efforts that will help constructing the country.
“We are pleased to partner with you in holding this light lighting for Rwandans” she said.
“Don’t be afraid, this light is not heavy, it is a light that every person carries on their heart to the extent that any person who sees them wishes to participate into this journey” she urged new members.
Construction works for the Rwf950 million worth-stadium started last year and two phases, Luxurious bar and changing room have been already completed while offices will be constructed later.
The ceremony is set after the community work (umuganda) and will be attended by International cricket legends like a British national, Brian Charles Lara and former captain of English cricket team Michael Paul Vaughan.
Also the inauguration ceremony will be attended by the CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Sarah Ferguson among others.
The Rwanda’s Cricket Association President, Eddie Balaba Mugarura said that the stadium will help them organize big competitions and host international teams.
Government officials and development partners reiterated their commitment during a round table meeting dubbed “Compact 2025,” which was held in Kigali on 23 October 2025. The gathering aimed to discuss tactics to accelerate the elimination of hunger, undernutrition, and malnutrition.
Compact2025, a new initiative spearheaded by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for ending hunger and undernutrition by 2025, brings stakeholders together to set priorities, innovate, learn, fine-tune actions, build on successes, and synthesise sharable lessons in order to accelerate progress.
“Ending hunger is a moral obligation for everyone,” the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana, said.
“In the six-year strategic plan for agriculture transformation being developed, nutrition is a big component. That’s something we should build on to make sure that interventions are fair and enough to reach where we want in the shortest time possible,” She added
Positivo BGH started to operate in Rwanda in 2015 by assembling laptops to use in the education sector.
In line with their expansion programme, the company targets to start assembling Television sets, power solar system lamps, electricity meters and Electronic Billing Machines among others.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Positivo BGH Country Director, Zoran Gordic said that they target to expand their activities by making less costly tools that will compete on the market.
“Our target is to produce these devices at affordable prices in Rwanda and the region,” Zoran said.
The four-day festival starts today (Thursday) at the Kigali Marriott Hotel which organised the fair in partnership with Turkish Airlines and the Embassy of Turkey in Rwanda.
IGIHE caught up with Ismail Keklikci and Samet Yildiz, two chefs from Istanbul Marriott Sisli, who have been in Kigali for two days preparing for delivering authentic Turkish dishes to festival goers.
Keklikci, a Turkish national with 13 years of experience in food industry, said the Turkish cuisine touches on several other cuisines including Mediterranean, Arabic and Greek to produce ideal mouthwatering dishes.
“We have come to make Kigali residents and visitors taste delectable dishes from Turkey. We will serve mezze (hummus, eggplant salad, spicy tomato paste, feta cheese, green olive salad and ‘coban’salad). As hot starters, we have cheese ‘borek’ and manti with yoghurt sauce. Our main course features chicken skewers, beef kebabs, kofte, crushed wheat rice and grilled tomato, as well as many other dishes. We also have desserts such as rice pudding, the world-famous lokum (Turkish delight), and more. Coffee and tea lovers can even taste the flavoursome tea and coffee from the heart of Turkey,” he said.
Keklikci invites festival goers to try kuru fasulye, one of the most loved Turkish dishes, that brings together cheese pastry, feta cheese, butter, tomato paste, dry beans and dry beef.
Spiced up with Turkish music, Ottoman uniforms, and authentic Turkish decorations direct from Istanbul, the Turkish Food Festival is expected to be graced by envoy of Turkey to Rwanda, Mr Mehmet Karaca, among other dignitaries.
“We’re very excited to showcase, not just the food, but the exciting spectacle that goes into Turkish cooking. We want Rwanda to experience a taste of Turkey,” Keklikci says.
Participants can enjoy delicious all-you-can-eat Turkish dishes and entertainment from Thursday to Sunday (October 26th-29th) for Rwf 25,000.
CAF confirmed both officials as members of the standing committees yesterday.
According to FERWAFA statement, Nzamwita will serve on the organising committee for Africa Nations Championship Chaired by Hassan Musa Bility from Liberia while Uwamahoro will serve on the organising committee for Women’s Football whose Chairperson is Isha Johansen from Sierra Leone.
Both Nzamwita and Uwamahoro join former FERWAFA president Celestin Ntagungira and former vice president Celestin Musabyimana who were appointed last week to serve on the Referees committee and the organizing committee for Africa Nations Championship respectively.
The Rwandan quartet will serve a two-year term in office as they will contribute in the planning and execution of the continent’s flagship football competition.
During the ceremony of awarding certificates of grading and licensing, 67 tourism entities including 50 hotels, 8 tour operators and 9 tour guides were awarded with a tourism operating license, a tool that will now be used by consumers and policy makers to define quality standards of facilities and services.
The tourism operating license regulatory system is anticipated to improve quality of service, build the capacity of the private sector and improve the marketing efforts of stakeholders in the industry in favourably positioning the destination.
Hon. Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Development Board during the occasion said that, “We are convinced that this new development will warrant a more vibrant industry, enhance stakeholder competitiveness and widespread success. The tourism operating licenses will also enhance transparency, accountability and proper standardization of the industry, maintaining the country’s front row position as a desirable tourism destination.”
Rwanda’s current ranking as the leading tourist destination in Africa as awarded by the World Travel Awards calls for actions such as this in order to maintain this providential position.
All tourism entities in the country, including accommodation establishments, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, tour operators, travel agencies, tour guides, tourism information offices, cultural tourism entities (cultural villages, private museums), and any other entity as determined by Order of the Minister are required to obtain an operating license.
This will also enhance Rwanda’s product positioning in line with the East African Tourism Marketing Platform as both the law and the ministerial orders were developed in accordance with East African Community (EAC) standards and were subject to technical review.
The application process leverages on technology to enhance efficiency and tourism entities are now expected to submit an online license application, upload a series of supporting documents on the tourism regulation website www.tourismregulation.rw and pay an application fee of 80,000 RWF. After the above steps have been achieved the entities are entitled to physical inspection where they must demonstrate that they have fulfilled all license requirements before being awarded a certificate.
Rwanda’s tourism industry has grown rapidly in the past few years, as the number of hotel rooms and tour operators have grown from 680 hotel rooms and 5 tour companies in 2003 to about 10,000 rooms and 44 tour companies currently. Last year the tourism sector fetched a total of $395 million with the MICE initiative solely bringing in about $47 million.
As Rwanda’s tourism industry continues to expand, the number of tourists flocking in also continues to increase. In 2016 Rwanda hosted 32 major conferences hosting about 32,500 delegates. Reports show that since Rwanda began offering visas upon arrival to all African nationals in 2013, the number of tourist arrivals has gone up by 14%, for instance African nationals arrivals in the country increased from 970,152 in 2015 to 1,157,171 in 2016.
Mrs. Belise Kariza, the Chief Tourism Officer at Rwanda Development Board while talking about the significance of this process said that, “Through this law, industry leaders anticipate to support stakeholders by ensuring that they maintain high quality standards, consistently improve quality of service and enhance efforts in training private sector stakeholders.”
It is through the cooperation that started in 2015 between RSB’s National Metrology Division and Germany Metrology Institute (PTB) which aims at strengthening metrological services in Rwanda.
The certificate was awarded to three laboratories testing Mass, Balance and Temperature Calibration.
Speaking at the event this Wednesday, the RSB Director General, Raymond Murenzi said that the certificate adds value to Rwanda’s laboratories and locally made products.
“When a product is tested from these laboratories, results will be the same with those tested from other international laborites,” he said.
He said that it is a big achievement since they started to train staff and buying decent materials towards meeting international standards.
“It will facilitate the country to export reliable Made in Rwanda products. Some people used to question them, but today we hope to export well standardized products” Murenzi added.
The PTB project coordinator, Florian Paffenholz commended RSB’s commitment to meeting standards requirements and urged to continue the trend in daily activities.
