Prime Min Edouard Ngirente
Rwanda’s Prime Minister Dr. Edourd Ngirente has told Turkish Investors in Istanbul to splash their cash in abundant construction, textile and hospitality sectors.
Dr. Ngirente is in Turkey representing President Paul Kagame at the 2nd Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum.
The forum creates a close cooperation between Turkish and African business circles.
More than 3000 participants are attending the forum including President of the Republic of Turkey, officials from the African Union members of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Business Councils, Associations, Professional Organizations and Entrepreneurs from Turkey, African Diplomatic Missions to Turkey, among others.
Addressing the forum, Prime Minister Ngirente said Rwanda has established a world-class business environment and Turkish investors should take the opportunity and extend their investments into Rwanda.
“We welcome Turkish investments in light manufacturing including construction materials, textiles and garments, wood processing, agro-processing, hospitality and many other sub sectors,” Prime Minister Ngirente said.
“Speaking for my country Rwanda specifically, we have established a very competitive business environment, which is underpinned by zero tolerance for corruption. These efforts have sustained economic growth of over 7% for the last 15 years,” he added.
Rwanda’s trade volumes with Turkey have increased to $383 million for over the last seven years, according to Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
In November last year, RDB hosted a delegation of 30 Turkish businessmen at the Turkish-Rwanda Business Forum at Serena Hotel.
Their visit to the country came after Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu – Turkish minister of foreign affairs opened Turkish embassy in Gasabo district in the capital Kigali.
Prime Minister Ngirente said that the bilateral relations between Turkey and Africa have gained substantial momentum.
“Turkey’s “Opening to Africa policy” has ushered in a continuous phase of mutually reinforced economic partnership. I commend the Government of Turkey, the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, the African Union Commission and their partners, for having jointly organized this important Forum,” he said.
According to Prime Minister Ngirente, the African Union recognizes the progress made under the Joint Implementation Plan of the Turkey-Africa Partnership in keeping with the Istanbul Declaration of the First Africa-Turkey Cooperation Summit of August 2008.
“Implementing the Agenda 2063 requires strong and active cooperation with all stakeholders, including Turkey. We are keen to strengthen and deepen our economies through industrialisation. I therefore invite Turkish investors to join Africa’s quest for industrialisation,” Prime Minister Ngirente told delegates at the forum.
The Africa – Turkey partnership targets a win-win outcome in areas of trade, investment, peace building, education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and industrial development.
