Rwanda’s Prime Minister Dr Edouard Ngirente says that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a valuable partner in the country’s economic journey, with trade between two countries growing ten-fold between 2010 and 2020, and almost three-fold from 2018 to 2020.

PM Dr. Edouard Ngirente was, on behalf of H.E President Paul Kagame, delivering his keynote address at the Rwanda Business Forum held as part of the activities to mark Rwanda National Day at the ongoing Dubai Expo 2020. The forum run from 2nd to 3rd February 2022.

Prime Minister Dr. Ngirente said that currently UAE is Rwanda’s leading trade partner with close to $900 million in total trade as of 2020. He pointed out that trade with the UAE accounted for almost 20% of Rwanda’s trade globally in 2020.

“Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates have had long-standing historical ties which have been strengthened over time. Today, we enjoy an excellent bilateral relationship, with trade and investment growing over the last years,” Prime Minister Dr. Ngirente said.

“Building on this existing partnership, it is important to continue creating platforms such as this Business Forum to collectively share insights and opportunities that will enhance the trade and investment between our two countries,” the Premier added.

The Rwanda Business forum in Dubai also targets Investment promotion, export and tourism promotion– especially through the Visit Rwanda brand – business-to-business meetings and Government to Government meetings are some of the intended purposes of the forum.

Rwanda government agencies featured in this high-profile forum include Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Finance Limited, Rwanda Mining Board, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of ICT and Innovation.

“First, the private sector will remain key to building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive growth. We really believe in Private sector as a government,” Prime Minister Dr. Ngirente noted.

He added: “Private investments, including Foreign Direct Investments, will play an increasingly important role in sustainably bridging the financing gap for our country’s development.”