ISSUE President Kagame further pointed out that failure to work together leads to Monthly missing the opportunity of picking solutions from a broad range of ideas RWANDARWANDAFULFUL Roundup of and possibilities. This explains why the continent keeps falling short and Rwanda’s gives an impression of a ‘Failing Africa’. Stories 5252 TheThe HagueHague “We need to deal with our situation of the continent with a sense of urgen- cy. The solutions are clear. What we need to do to deal with our problems January 2016 is very clear. Let us just go ahead and do it together.” The President also reiterated the need for African countries to integrate further for shared prosperity. He emphasised that the individual approach in addressing challenges holds the continent back. President Kagame calls on Africans to work At the dinner, President Kagame spoke following a panel discussion moder- ated by James Irundi Mwangi, the Executive Director of Dalberg Group; together to address the continent’s challenges Donald Kaberuka, former President of African Development Bank; Sara menker, founder and CEO of Gro Intelligence; Bono, lead singer of U2; and Jubril Adewale Tinubu, the chief executive of Dalberg Group. President Paul Kagame has called on leaders from across Africa to work together to address the challenges that the continent still faces. Speaking at a dinner reception dubbed ‘Africa’s Future’ on the sidelines of the just-ended World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland; President Kagame noted that when Africans talk about their prob- lems, they are together, but when it comes to seeking solutions and implementing them, that togetherness vanish- es. Each country ends up standing individually, trying on its own. EMBASSY OF THE “We have to do some alignment. Let’s discuss the problems together, let’s discuss the solutions together and actu- REPUBLIC OF RWANDA ally let’s implement them together; let’s work together,” President Kagame stated at the dinner which was also THE HAGUE attended by Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Ivory Coast Prime Minister Daniel Duncan, as well as African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina. www.netherlands.embassy.gov.rw [email protected] Challenges remind us there are things we should be doing - President Kagame hosts annual diplomats’ luncheon President Kagame tells WEF President Paul Kagame hosted envoys accredited to Rwanda to the annual diplomats’ luncheon at Urugwiro Village. Prior to the luncheon, four new envoys from China, On Wednesday 20 January 2016, President Paul Kagame was in Davos, Switzerland took part in this Denmark, Kuwait and the Czech Republic presented their credentials to the President. year’s World Economic Forum (WEF). While speaking on a panel titled ‘The Transform of Tomorrow’ that discussed the implications of the digital revolution, President Kagame said that Rwanda and Africa are in Addressing the envoys, President Kagame expressed his appreciation for what the transition to become part of making technology – not just consuming it. diplomats do to keep the diplomatic ties between Rwanda and their respective coun- tries strong. He later pointed out that through combining the country resources and integration partnerships, Rwandans are determined to prosper. The President listed some projects like the Northern Corridor Integration Projects and the recently globally endorsed Sustainable Development Goals whose implementation require firm part- nerships. “Rwandans are working to be our best selves, fully responsible for our future, a bur- den to no one. You are in position to see this first-hand and provide useful context, back to headquarters, when called upon,” President Kagame told the envoys. Presi- dent Kagame further reiterated that Rwanda values the free open dialogue with friends and partners by listening carefully and participating whenever necessary. He stressed that Rwanda contributes significantly to global cooperation because, “it re- The President further stressed that Africans and Rwandans in particular have seen multiplier effect of flects who we are as a people.” President Kagame assured the diplomats that technology on growth, development and connecting people to solutions. Digital technologies have ben- Rwanda’s diplomacy and international engagement will continue to be resolutely efited and improved millions of lives. He pointed out that what Africa needs now is to address the policy multilateral, collaborative and judicious. side: “We have to address policy side and how we use technology to reduce other divide that exist. In Rwanda, making sure women are involved and using technology to serve society are policy decisions Speaking on behalf of the envoys, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Uganda’s that we bring together.” Ambassador to Rwanda, Richard Kabonero, said that it is clear to everyone that Rwan- da registers remarkable progress every year: “A few of us who have been here longer, President Kagame called on governments across the continent to put more efforts in facilitating the have witnessed a lot of development in ICT, peacekeeping, education, peace and sta- involvement of digital technologies in all sectors. On the panel, President Kagame was speaking along- bility. We congratulate the people of Rwanda for a well organised referendum (…) side leaders in the digital technologies industry including Facebook chief operation officer Sheryl Sand- Rwanda will be a prosperous country in the not so distant future.” berg, Microsoft Chief executive Satya Nadella, the director of Indian company Mahindra and Mahindra, Anand Mahindra, and the founder of Open Gov., Zachary Bookman. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo said that Rwanda’s diplomacy has enlarged, and Rwandans hope the New Year would come On Thursday 21 January 2016, the President spoke on a panel about ‘Africa’s Next Challenge’ alongside with better tidings. Ethiopian Premier Hailemariam Desalegn, and the President of the African Development Bank Adesina Akinwumi. Later in the evening, the President hosted ‘Rwanda Night’ where he welcomed participants to WEF Africa in Rwanda. Hosted annually in Davos, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum discusses world economic issues, and is an opportunity for countries to sell their economic potentials to prospective investors. This year, the four-day summit discussed other critical challenges; including security and climate change in relation to global economic growth. The Summit was attended by over 2,500 delegates from around the world. President Kagame holds talks with US Secretary of Commerce The US Secretary of Commerce and President Obama's Advisory Council met RDB Officials on Doing Business in Rwanda On 28 January President Paul Kagame received in his office a delegation led by the United States Secre- tary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, for a business roundtable themed “The economic benefits of integra- On 28th January 2016, Rwanda Development Board CEO Honorable Francis Gatare tion”. The delegation included 13 members of the US President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in hosted the US Secretary of commerce, Penny Pritzker, and delegation comprised of Africa (PAC-DBIA) and African CEOs. senior executives of leading American companies including GE, McKinsey and the re- nowned Carlyle Group. The main intention of the visit was to experience key aspects in the development of Rwanda including trade, business and tax collection. During the meeting, CEO Gatare highlighted investment opportunities in Rwanda and the incentives offered to investors. He also pointed at Rwanda's recently updated in- vestment code and the simplified tax regime. “We have made great progress in build- ing Rwanda as a preferred investment destination and instituted several initiatives to reform the doing business environment,” he said The head of the delegation of American in- vestors, Secretary Penny Pritzker, who had previously visited Rwanda as a member of The meeting is a follow up to the US-Africa Summit that took place in the US in August, 2014. Speaking the private sector, said that it was terrific to at the meeting, President Kagame said that it is encouraging to have business leaders in the region and watch the evolution of Rwanda. “We are very national leaders coming together to discuss investment opportunities in the region and in Rwanda in impressed by the remarkable progress made particular. “I welcome you on the backdrop of the relationship we have had for a long time and want to in the economic and social sectors,” said Ms strengthen the relations between the United States and the East African Community and the wide Sub- Pritzker. Saharan Africa,” President Kagame said. Rwanda Revenue Authority Deputy Commissioner General Bizimana Pascal added that The President expressed his gratitude for the follow up on commitments made between countries dur- the institution’s growth and the increasing role of tax revenues in national develop- ing the US-Africa Summit. ment was very clear. “We will soon establish a special desk for VAT refund to investors to addressing tax-related concerns of foreign investors,” he noted, pointing out that In her remarks, the US Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker pointed out that the US President’s Advi- investors will be taken through the new investment code to achieve clarity. sory Council on Doing Business in Africa has chosen Rwanda as their second destination during their visit to the continent because the country is one of Africa’s remarkable economic success stories. The delegation was briefed on the ongoing regional integration efforts in East African “I visited Rwanda five years ago and found the people of Rwanda quite remarkable. We are focused on Community, and particularly within the Northern Corridor framework. “They were steps the US Government can take to support the establishment of stronger and lasting commercial impressed with the various common projects and initiatives already implemented, partnerships between the US and the Africa private sectors – especially regions and countries where including the Single Area Network, the Common Tourist Visa, as well as various infra- there have been considerable economic success.