The former Rwandan ambassador Guillaume Kavaruganda to Singapore looks back on four memorable years stationed in Singapore and shares some of the ups and downs as a career diplomat at the island republic, where he gives views on how possible is doing business between two countries.
He gave an example of the DPM signed in Kigali, Rwanda, the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which is a major legal instrument for the protection of Singapore investors in Rwanda.
At the same time, a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) which allowed Rwandair and Singapore Airlines to use the Rwanda and Singapore airspace and carry passengers in both respective countries was signed.
“I am also happy to note during my tenure Singapore investments in Rwanda have increased and Rwandan exports to Singapore are in a good position, ranking sixth worldwide. We export mainly coffee, tea, minerals and honey. The number of Singaporean visiting Rwanda has increased year by year as well as the so-called ‘Friends of Rwanda’ from Singapore.
Something that I do hope will happen is that Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will visit Rwanda next year 2020 during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that will take place in Kigali, Rwanda,” he said.
He elaborated more on the profile of Singapore investors in Rwanda, saying that there are more Singaporean business ladies who have invested in Rwanda and in such sectors as farming in the chicken industry, honey making, the financial sector and so on.
“We are not sure why but we do hope that more Singapore men will also take notice of the growing investment opportunities and do the same. The number of Singaporean private companies investing is increasing as well as the greater amounts they are investing there. I am also happy to report that many of them realized the returns on their investments sooner than they have expected.” He noted.
“We have heard how some have described Rwanda as the ‘Singapore of Africa’; how so?
Singapore is among very few countries who have succeeded to pass from a poor country to a rich one in a very short period of time. In 1994, with the end of the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda was considered as a failed state. In the last 25 years, we have worked hard and succeeded so far in alleviating the numbers of poor people in the country. But a lot remains to be done.” He added.
He said that some other ‘best practices’ aspects of Singapore that are similar to Rwanda is long term planning for the future and the timely execution and completion of planned projects, noting that both countries make sure (projects) start and end as scheduled.
He further said that it is a common experience in less developed countries, especially when many projects are funded by donors, they tend to start late and end very late mainly because of the slow disbursements of funds.
He reminds Singaporeans that Rwanda is a safe country to do business in, encouraging them to come visit and invest.
“Please bear in mind that Rwanda is a very safe country, with a good climate and where it is easy to do business. Come and see for yourself. Visit Rwanda, trade and invest with us. You will not regret it.” He noted.
The Express News
