The Vice President of the Rwanda Private Association (PSF), Kimenyi Aimable, expressed that they are ready to contribute to the construction of the railway in order to facilitate the transportation of their goods.
This promise was initiated in the discussions that brought together the private sector educated and suffering in China and the Chinese private sector that took place in the Nyarugenge region on November 16, 2024.
It is a discussion organized by the community of Rwandan investors who studied and suffered in China, RCAO (Rwanda China Alumni Organization) and the Embassy of China in Rwanda, characterized by highlighting activities and discussions between the two sides.
Among the companies that showcased their work in this event are Hamubere Ltd. founded by Ukwigize Jean de Dieu, provides a service to connect sellers and customers through its website.
After talking with his fellow investors and officials including the Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun, Ukwigize explained to IGIHE that he and his colleagues asked the diplomat to have a permanent place in China to showcase their services and products and he agreed. .
Regarding the talks he had with his colleagues, Ukwigize said: “If we were about 60 companies, at least about 40 of us have talked to each other. We are going to start working together so that their activities start appearing on our website. Also, if it succeeds, the rest of us are going to see their actions through our website. The very fact that we got to know each other is a very important thing.”
The importance of these discussions was emphasized by the President of RCAO, Higaniro Théoneste, who pointed out that it will make their work easier and more productive because Rwandan and Chinese investors have gotten to know each other.
The conversation said, “This event is important for the people of these two countries. Also, in terms of investment, you know that Rwanda is a safe country that facilitates investors. There are many areas where we can work with China, crossing the border. Our companies are small, if we combine our efforts with those of China, we can buy you the market in the region."
Ambassador Wang praised the cooperation between the Governments of Rwanda and China, explaining that it aims to benefit each side.
He recalled that President Paul Kagame and Xi Jinping met in Beijing in September 2024, and discussed other sectors that both sides would cooperate in developing, including the economy based on technology, emphasizing that it is a sign of cooperation that is increasing in strength.
The diplomat pointed out that the talks between Rwandan and Chinese investors increase the chances of cooperation between the two countries and that they should produce tangible results, contributing to the development of investment and the people in general.
The government of Rwanda has a project to build a railway that will meet with other countries that are members of the East African community. 1.5 billion US dollars are required to implement it, Tanzania will be required 2.5 billion dollars due to the fact that it will build the long section.
In a press conference held by the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda on September 10, 2024, its economic adviser, Gao Zhiqiang, was asked if their country could not help Rwanda in this project, and he replied that it is expensive due to Rwanda's situation.
Zhiqiang said, “It is a very broad project; It is a big deal for landlocked countries like Rwanda. It requires a lot of things for this project to be implemented here in Rwanda especially due to the nature of the country and it would cost a lot of money to build a railway from other parts to Rwanda and inside the country itself. ”
Kimenyi said that "nothing is impossible", pointing out that while countries are discussing strengthening cooperation, they should take into account how they would implement the project to build the railway.
He pointed out that the private sector is ready to contribute even if it is "one dollar" so that this project will be implemented, and investment between the two countries will be easier.
He said, “When you say something is expensive, you are going to one side. So these discussions you have seen here and there, these companies you see here and there are the ones who are going to participate in that process, it is no longer just that 'the Government of Rwanda, the Government of China are going to sign an agreement', they immediately go to build."
Kimenyi went on to say, "We as Rwandan traders will be the ones who will take the goods on that train, the Chinese traders here will be the ones who will send the goods to us. So if it's a hindrance, why don't we sit together and do it together? That is what we explained to the Chinese leaders that they should look differently, and focus on the diversity of Rwandans and the experience of the Chinese."
The relationship between Rwanda and China has been going on for 53 years. In September 2024, Chinese investment in Rwanda had reached the value of 1.2 billion dollars. Rwandans also sell various products to China, including coffee and tea, compared to 2022, the value of what the Chinese bought in Rwanda in 2023 increased by 86%.
