According to the report, Rwanda rose to 41 from 56 on last year’s global ranking.
Rwanda is the first country in Africa that implemented reforms of monitoring and stabilizing commercial companies in the past nine years.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Vincent Munyeshyaka welcomed the position saying that it shows the potential of government’s reforms in doing business.
“This shows us that Rwanda is developing. It is the first time for the country to be ranked in the first 50 positions globally. We should keep good practices, solving some remaining problems as well as planning new activities that will lead us to more development,” he said.
The Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi said that the rising was attributed to five reforms that were implemented last year.
Among the implemented reforms are; improving issuance of construction permit standard process, easing property registration process and easing payment of taxes by using online payments systems among others.
Reforms also helped small investors by setting up good control systems with transparency.
In East African Countries, Kenya was ranked 80, Uganda 122 and Tanzania 137 globally.
Ntamuhanga is a former journalist at Amazing Grace Radio in Kigali.
Speaking to IGIHE, the RCS spokesperson, CIP Hillary Sengabo confirmed that three inmates escaped from the prison last night.
“It happened last night, he escaped with two more inmates by using ropes and jumped over the prison wall,” he said.
Sengabo said on Tuesday morning RCS officers found abandoned but seemingly used ropes at the prison wall which prompted them to start investigations.
Ntamuhanga had been co-accused with Jean Paul Dukuzumuremyi, Agnes Niyibizi and Kizito Mihigo.
In 2015, the court convicted Ntamuhanga of treason charges and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.
Other escapees are Sibomana Kirenge who had been sentenced to 20 years on murder charges and Theogene Tambirije who was serving 16 years on rape conviction.
The ceremony which took place in Kigali was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Community, Louise Mushikiwabo and TV5 Monde Managing Director, Yves Bigot among other officials.
At the event, TV5 Monde unveiled a free ‘phone application’ that will help smartphone users in Africa to watch their news.
Speaking at the event, Mushikiwabo hailed TV5 Monde for bringing the unveiling ceremony in Rwanda saying that Rwandans will benefit from it based on how ICT continues to be embraced in the country and the different opportunities presented therewith.
“Our country is investing in ICT and as a result internet is available in Kigali City and all secondary cities. TV5 Monde will be followed by many Rwandans as they use different languages. French language is taught in Rwandan schools. Through this platform Rwandans will be connected with fellow Africans,” Mushikiwabo said.
According to TV5 Monde’s Bigot, celebrating the anniversary and launching the platform in Rwanda is pleasing saying that they chose Rwanda following Honourable Mushikiwabo’s invitation last year, when they met in Francophone Summit in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
He said that the invitation was a symbol of how Rwanda likes French language. Bigot said that the channel can be a tool of talks between government of Rwanda and France over Political matters.
“This is a culture-based channel, dialogues are the main tool to solve political issues, and we shall explore all possibilities to encourage dialogue,” he said.
TV5 Afrique started to operate in Africa in 1992 and is the most subscribed channel in all TV5 Monde Channels.
TV5 Monde is sponsored by five states, France, Switzerland, Canada, Quebec and Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles and reaches 84 French speaking countries.
During five days, the meeting will be mainly discussing conservation, exchange and sustainable use of crop varieties among contracting parties.
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Gerardine Mukeshimana, called upon the delegates to forge mechanisms to safeguard farmers’ rights, especially the right to equitably participate in benefits arising from the utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
“It is my humble request to the esteemed delegates to come up with a clear mechanism acceptable by all parties for sharing the benefits from the commercial utilization of genetic resources for food and agriculture,” Minister Mukeshimana said.
Rwanda has established laws, policies and strategies that promote the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The country’s agriculture research has also developed and released over 90 high yielding, disease and pest resistant crop varieties including beans, potatoes, maize, wheat and rice, some of which have been widely disseminated beyond Rwanda.
Weiss was speaking Tuesday in a press conference responding to the recent electricity-related injuries and deaths which he said were caused by illegal connections.
“REG would like to remind all the general public and its esteemed customers that whoever needs to be connected to electricity network or has an issue related to power should seek support from REG technicians provided by the respective branches,” he said.
He said that some incidents that have resulted into injuries and death have resulted from using substandard materials, using unprofessional technicians, touching cables and climbing high voltage lines and cabins.
“There are unqualified technicians operating upon deceit of the public out there claiming to be REG, Energy, Utility Corporation Ltd (EUCL) or Energy Development Corporation Ltd (EDCL) employees, telling citizens that they can give them access to electricity or repair their installations,” he warned.
“REG management is calling upon the general public to be cautious with these people commonly known as ABAHIGI, because their services are substandard and may result into electrocution or fires,” he cautioned.
REG says that on 22ndOctober, in Rutunga sector of Gasabo District, two children were electrocuted after touching an electricity wire that was used illegally to share electricity between two households.
On 25th October, in Muganza sector of Rusizi District, one of the three young girls was electrocuted and the other two were injured as a result of a cable that was detached by an unqualified technician claiming to be EUCL staff.
The same week, on Sunday, 29th in Musanze District, a 31-year-old man who was cutting grass was struck by electrical shock when he tempered with the electrical cables that were emerging from an electrical cabin. The same day in Musanze, a 10-year-old student was struck by electrical shock after trampling on the uninsulated MV line cable which was damaged by a road maintenance company.
The project which is expected to be completed by next year is being implemented in Rusororo sector of Gasabo District on a 12-hectare piece of land.
In June 2016, SP inaugurated a $22 million worth fuel depot with the capacity of storing 22 million liters of fuel.
Speaking to IGIHE, the SP Chief Operations Officer, Alexandre Ngendahimana explained that they are upgrading the depot fivefold from the existing storage capacity.
“After a 22 million liters depot facility completed last year, we are constructing a 38 million liters facility to enable the country have uninterrupted fuel supplies in case of an emergency,” he said.
Rwandan fuel dealers import fuel through the ports of Mombasa, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
According to Ngendahimana, SP currently has capacity to serve Rwandan market with petrol for 50 days without more importation.
He said that in June 2018, all depots will be completed and the company will be able to store 60 million liters.“
These depots will enable us to store fuels that can be used for a period of four months. We do our best to always have these depots filled,” he explained.
Mukeshimana was speaking yesterday in the 7th Session of the Governing Body on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture that is taking place in Kigali.
A study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has revealed that World population will increase to 10 billion by 2050 from around 7 billion today.
The increase of population goes hand in hand with increase in food consumption which also needs new measures and creativity in agriculture and animal resources to increase production.
According to Mukeshimana, new practices to improve food productivity are needed to be able to meet the World demand.
“As World population is expected to increase to 10 billion in 2050, 2.5 billion of them will be living in cities. Much increase will be mainly in Africa and Asia; this means that investment in Agriculture should be intensified. More production is needed through seed multiplication” she said.
According to MINAGRI, in Rwanda, much has been done to improve agricultural production. Among initiatives employed is the Crop Intensification Program (CIP) as the main driver of crop production for ensuring food security and self-sufficiency.
Through different agro-research centers in Rwanda, 90 varieties of seeds capable of resisting climate change effects were unveiled. These include beans, Irish potatoes, maize, wheat and rice seeds.
The FAO Climate, Biodiversity, Land and Water Department Assistant-Director General, René Castro Salazar said that for the world to be able to have food security, population need to embrace good agricultural practices and learn how to sustain productivity.
“Today, 1/3 of our productivity is misused. If we had to maintain them properly it would facilitate us. For us to be able to feed 10 billion in the future we need not to waste anything on productivity. People also need to use technology in agriculture since they start planting till they harvest” he said.
In Rwanda, Agriculture contributes 1/3 of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and covers 50% of exportation.
Havugimana was speaking to Parliament yesterday while presenting 2016/2017 report and planned activities in 2017/2018.
After presenting the report, MP Henriette Mukamurangwa questioned the case of Jean d’Amour Niyonteze, a man who got school fees from FARG yet he had been jailed over genocide crimes.
“He had been paid for school fees and removed from beneficiaries’ list later. Then he fought for his rights, but FARG found that he had committed genocide against the Tutsi and sentenced to 13 years in jail. This is unbelievable, so, what did CNLG do with this case? What did you do for him to reimburse the money he had benefited from?” asked MP Mukamurangwa.
Havugimana explained that CNLG identified the case and informed FARG which also informed the Police to pursue him (Niyonteze) so that he can face justice and compensate the money.
“Our advocacy was limited from there as we don’t have the right to arrest. But, all concerned institutions were informed so that he can repay the money,” he said.
Havugimana said that in 2017/2018, CNLG will continue to digitize Gacaca archives where they target to digitize 6 000 000 pages; 60,000 books, and 8000 audios and videos recorded during Gacaca courts.
Organised by Messe Berlin, the Asia’s leading travel trade shows, ITB Asia took place from 25th to 27th October 2017 at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the show in bringing together experts within the travel trade industry from all over the world to engage in dynamic B2B discussions.
Rwanda’s participation is expected to boost the rising number of visitors from Asia and Australia and to further introduce Rwanda to new emerging markets, especially for high-end and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) visitors.
In a press conference organised in side lines of the event, media was briefed with different speakers including Lucas J Murenzi from the High Commission, KhassimBizimungu from Rwanda Development Board and Jacqui Sebageni, the Managing Director of ‘Thousand Hills Africa’.
Murenzi emphasised the determination of the Government of Rwanda to promote tourism and wild life conservation that has led to a sharp and steady increase in the numbers of visitors to Rwanda as well as tourism revenues.
On the diversity of tourism attractions and potential in Rwanda, Sebageni said that besides the flagship gorilla trekking experience, Rwanda offers a variety of other attractions in wildlife, culture and people experiences as well as MICE visitors.
She further highlighted the beauty of Rwanda’s nature and the energy of its people.
Bizimungu stated that a solid foundation has been laid at ITB Asia.
“These three days have been very fulfilling for me as a representative of Rwanda at ITB Asia. We have managed to establish business contacts with people who have shown genuine interest in selling and promoting Rwanda,” he said
Sebageni echoed her optimistic sentiments saying “ITB Asia has been a great success for me, as it has provided an introduction to this interesting, lucrative and high-growth potential market that is Asia. We found people curious and interested in Rwanda, and once they heard what we had to offer, they became even more interested. I believe we can grow the numbers from Asia and Australia quite significantly,”
Regarding efforts in conservation, like protecting endangered species and the re-introduction of Black Rhinos and Lions to Akagera National Park, Bizimungu shared RDB’s strategy of focusing on eco-tourism and involvement of local communities in the program that has so far been very fruitful.
Ngirente was speaking Saturday after monthly community work (Umuganda) in Nyagatare District where a total of 30,000 trees were planted.
He called on residents to protect forestry saying that it is the foundation of sustainable development.
“When a big section of the population uses bio-fuels for cooking, it negatively impacts the conservation efforts. Today 83% of Rwandan population use bio-fuel for cooking, but the government targets to reduce that to 43% by 2020,” he said.
“In order to achieve this target, it requires adoption of energy efficient cooking methods including gas for city dwellers and biogas and saving stoves (Rondereza) for the rest” he urged the public.
Rwanda targets to have 30% of her surface planted with trees by 2020. However, Ngirente said that achieving the target will require everyone’s contribution.
The Minister of Land and Forestry, Francine Tumushime requested Nyagatare residents to plant more trees as well as sustaining the existing forests, Which are decreasing.
