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The Business Excellence Awards took place on the night of January 18, 2019 amidst pomp and spectacle.

The categories that were awarded this year were; Investor of the Year, Emerging Investor of the Year, Exporter of the Year, Emerging Exporter of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Made-in-Rwanda Enterprise of the Year, Emerging Made-in-Rwanda Enterprise of the Year, the Service Provider of the Year and the SME of the Year.

The Investor of the Year Award was given to the I&M Bank Rwanda, while the Emerging Investor Award was given to Afriprecast, a factory that manufactures precast concrete products.

The Exporter of the Year Award was given to the Africa Improved Foods. Last Year, the Food processing company scooped the 2017 Investor Award. The Emerging Exporter of the Year was awarded to Garden Fresh Ltd, a horticulture exporter in Rwanda, which grows and sells fresh vegetables and fruits to international buyers in the UK and Europe.

The Small & Medium Enterprise of the Year is Pascal Technology Limited, a Rwandan software company that provides ICT Solutions to developing countries in Africa, while the Service Provider Award was allocated to Legacy Clinics.

Officiating the event, Rwanda Development Board CEO, Clare Akamanzi noted the importance of the awards, to celebrate the contribution of the private sector, especially when good results have been registered. Ms. Akamanzi highlighted the milestones reached in 2018.

“RDB for the first time registered investments worth US$ 2.006 billion, an increase of 20% when compared to those registered in 2017. Of the total investments registered in 2018, an estimated 26% represents export-oriented projects,” Akamanzi remarked.

“Correspondingly there was a major highlight in the Doing Business performance where we hit our Vision 2020 target of being in the top 30 globally. The World Bank ranked Rwanda 29th globally in its 2019 Ease of Doing Business Report, and 2nd in Africa,” she added.

All these great results, she said, were made possible through strong partnerships.

The Minister of Infrastructure who was also the Guest of Honor at the Business Excellence Awards, Amb. Claver Gatete applauded the results of the Excellence Awards and observed that “when these awards keep getting bigger and better it is a sign that the private sector is growing”.

Photos: Moses Niyonzima

More Pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/igihepictures/sets/72157704424981851/with/45878446335/

During the 23rd edition of the annual special prayer breakfast themed “Transformative Leadership” held at the Kigali Convention Centre, the President particularly reminded those present that Rwanda cannot be people who need to be taught values continuously: “Like a watch you have to keep resetting or a ball with a hole that you have to keep inflating.”

“What mindset will we take home? How will we take what we have learned and apply it to what we do? Instilling godly values in leadership means those values have to be part of who we are,” Kagame urged those present.

The president advised leaders to be defined by unity, thinking big and accountability for their responsibilities as leaders.

“Being a team is about bringing people together. We are one team working for the country, fulfilling our responsibility and thinking big. We have to think beyond the next day, think about the generations ahead and what we want to accomplish. Accountability is about the discipline of work, upholding the values that define us,” President Kagame noted.

Casting light on what would elevate one beyond petty actions, the Head of State advised on reflecting on one’s actions and evaluating each other honestly. “This is what will allow you to practice the values that should define us,” he said

“Let us uphold the right values and give ourselves the respect we deserve,” he added

President Kagame also warned that Religion should not be seen as an anesthetic that allows one to be numb to the hard challenges one must face.

“I don’t think there is any other continent that prays more than the African continent. But prayers must be met with action. Actions towards what we want to accomplish and our goals,” President Kagame advised.

Organized by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship (RLF), the prayer meeting brings together leaders in top positions for fellowship around a breakfast, to reflect on the milestones that the nation has achieved praying for the nation and its leaders.

Initiated in 1995, the RLF is attended by cabinet members, lawmakers, members of the judiciary, police and military top brass, private sector and civil society, including church leaders.

President Kagame was speaking at the Rwanda-Japan Business Forum organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), on the second day of his official visit in Japan.

“Africa’s middle class is increasing year in, year out; there is increasing urbanization in Africa moving faster than probably other continents. Africa has different kinds of resources starting with our own people and the natural resources that we have,” President Kagame said.

He noted that between the natural resources and the people, the innovation and technology, there was no problem that was not going to be addressed to provide the continent with the solutions it wants. “Africa and Rwanda have simply no other choice but to keep adding value to what we are doing.”

President Kagame also welcomed and encouraged Japans to do more business in and with Rwanda.

“We are trying to catch up, and we are being helped to by these developed countries and people with whom we work. Doing business, the kind of different investments that we have to make together are very critical,” Kagame noted

Last Year, Rwanda Development Board chief executive Clare Akamanzi said the number of Japanese investments in Rwanda has gone up from three to 19 in the last five years, with the portfolio expected to grow further.

“However this doesn’t mean that everything is where we want it to be. We have to do more every time and that’s why when people kept saying that we have to listen, to pay attention to businesses from Japan, I completely agree with them,” he added.

President Kagame said Rwanda cannot be complacent that has done enough despite the glowing results from studies, experience and data show that tremendous progress is being made.

“That’s a good story but it always tells us that we have to do more.”

“I want to assure you that the Government of Rwanda will continue to do our best, to provide a conducive and supportive environment for successful ventures.” President Kagame guaranteed.

In an interview with Boursorama, a leading source of financial and economic information in France, Mushikiwabo re-iterated her future goals for La Francophonie, where she said that she would like to see French as the language of the Internet.

Extracts of the Interview

Q: Your election as Secretary General marks the coming of an African leader, after Canada’s Michaëlle Jean, at the head of the La Francophonie (OIF). Is it unavoidable when we know that Africa holds 80% of the growth in the number of Francophones in the world?

A: Africa is a driving force of La Francophonie. It is a natural even normal that Africa is at the head of La Francophonie. That said, I am also aware that La Francophonie goes far beyond Africa. As the Secretary-General, I will do my best to make everyone feels at home in our organization.

Q: Your candidacy was strongly supported by France while you are very close to Rwandan President Paul Kagame. At the head of La Francophonie, how will you guarantee your independence?

A: I am also a professional. I work for La Francophonie. I represent La Francophonie. I will put all my energy into this organization. From now on, I am no longer the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs. Any action, any decision, any activity of La Francophonie, I will execute as the secretary general of La Francophonie.

Q: Rwanda has replaced French with English as a compulsory language at school. Is this compatible with the direction of La Francophonie?

A: Rwanda is a French-speaking country. It is also an English speaking country. It is also a Swahili-speaking country and first and foremost, we speak Kinyarwanda, our national language. We are a multilingual country and I think that the fact that the Rwandan president does not really speak French – he begins to speak French, very happily – is confused with the importance of the French language in the country. French is the foreign language most spoken by Rwandans and the importance of the French language will grow. In Rwanda, we believe very much that this coexistence of languages does not necessarily cause problems.

Q: This is what French President Emmanuel Macron defends: the defense of French in a Plurilingualism framework. Is this the future of La Francophonie?

A: The French language has no complex compared to English. But the world today is such that it is beneficial for the French to speak other languages. We go much further with several languages. We are more fortunate in employment and training with more languages. I really do not mind.

Q: What are your goals as the head of La Francophonie?

A: I would very much like to see the French language as the language of the internet. With the proportions of young people in the French-speaking world, it’s very feasible. But there is still work to be done, I do not delude myself. Digitalism can be used as an asset for employment issues. When we go through the francophone area, we hear, “La Francophonie, what is it for me?” These are legitimate questions. All that is digital concerns the youth, so I think we can combine very well the digital aspect and the interest of the youth.

Q: Critics point to a “dispersal” of OIF… Is a refocus necessary?

A: There is indeed a debate that’s needed. Criticism is legitimate: we do a lot of small things and we should refocus, bring several activities together under clear themes, well defined: the economy, the influence of language.

Q: The OIF now has 88 members, including some countries that have a distant relationship with French. Should the membership criteria be reviewed?

A: Why not? I find that the fact that many countries which have very little to do with the French language wanting to become members of La Francophonie, a sign of attractiveness, which is a very good thing. Only, I think we must also be observant of our space, our activities, and our values. We can create a system of members who have a status more or less different from the full members. But it is up to the member states to decide.

Of the total investments registered in 2018, an estimated 26% represents export oriented projects. Across sectors, manufacturing, mining, agriculture and agro-processing accounted for 57% of investments registered. Other sectors that attracted significant investments were tourism, healthcare, business services and ICT.

The largest share of the 2018 investment registrations or 49%, was posted by domestic investors, while Foreign Direct Investment registrations represented 47% of the total. Joint ventures (local and foreign investors) represented the balance of approximately 4% of all investments registered during the year. In comparison, in 2017, domestic investment registrations accounted for 28% of the total, while foreign investment registrations represented 62% and joint ventures the remaining 10%.

Some of the largest investors during 2018, who registered expected investments over US$ 70 million, included: Emerald Park ltd; Millennial Construction Ltd; Rwanda Innovation Fund; Jali Transport; and Mara Phones.

Other notable investment projects registered during the year included: Andela Software Development’s Rwanda based Pan African Hub; a first Coltan/Tantalum refinery by PRG from Macedonia; new local production of a global beer brand – Heineken in Rwanda by Bralirwa; a large scale fertilizer blending plant in Rwanda by OCP from Morocco; a steel rolling mill by MasterSteel from Rwanda; a mosquito bed nets production plant by Vision Garments from Rwanda; a steel manufacturing plant by AARSAL STEEL from India; a mineral smelting company by Luna Smelter of Rwanda; hospitality development around Lake Kivu by GEMS of Rubavu; and mobility solutions development by Volkswagen.

Project registration values reflect each investor’s projected five (5) year estimation of operating and capital investments to be made, regardless of whether financed by equity or debt. Historically, registered projects typically take 3 years on average to become fully operational.

Commenting on the investments registered in 2018, RDB Chief Investment Officer, Guy Baron said that “In the last 8 years, registered investments in Rwanda jumped from US$ 398 million in 2010 to slightly over US$ 2 billion in 2018. Last year, we passed the US$ 2 billion milestone, for the first time in the country’s history. This is evidence that Rwanda is being seen increasingly as a great place to do business, innovate and establish a hub from which to access the continent’s tremendous opportunities. The increased investments registered are a direct result of the initiatives that the Government of Rwanda, through RDB, has put in place to continuously make Rwanda an attractive destination for investment. In fact, this year, Rwanda was proudly ranked the 29th easiest place to do business in the world and the 2nd easiest place to do business in Africa.”

In terms of investor facilitation, RDB operates a One Stop Centre for investors. The Centre provides information and services to guide investors through the key steps of starting a business such as registration, licenses, immigration, land, utilities, environmental clearances as well as tax and mortgage registration services.

In addition, RDB offers all investors Aftercare Services, which provide assistance in ensuring that business projects are implemented free of avoidable impediments. Via these services, RDB helps investors to resolve simple and complex challenges they may encounter along the way and provides any guidance required. RDB has also introduced investor engagement platforms such as the quarterly ‘CEO Forum’ where RDB senior management meets and engages with business leaders. Another important platform, ‘Investor Open Day’, aimed at resolving issues faced by investors, is offered every Friday and open to walk-ins. During 2018, 163 of 209 or 78% of investor issues recorded by Aftercare Services were expediently resolved.