India Inks 3 MoUs with Rwanda, Vice President Hamid Ansari Emphasized on Innovation

NEW DELHI: During India-Rwanda Business Forum, both the nations signed the MoUs, which also included the establishment of an Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) and an agreement for the exemption of Visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders.

The agreement was inked by Amar Sinha, Secretary of Ministry of External Affairs, India, and three Rwandan ministers in the presence of Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari, who also launched India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme. On the occasion, Mr Ansari said the direct air service will benefit not only the business community but also the Rwandan people, who visit India for the health and education purposes also. "India issues at least 500 students Visa to Rwandan students, who visit the country for higher education under scholarship programmes," he said. He said, "Several Rwandans, who have travelled to India for medical treatment, have returned satisfied. India is also increasingly becoming a preferred destination for quality and affordable education for Rwandan students.” The Vice-President said India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme is being launched to expand ties in Science, Technology and Innovation, and the programme aims at creating an ecosystem wherein Indian innovations and technology enterprises will thrive and encourage business ventures from both sides.

The India-Rwanda Business Forum was organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. The Prime Minister of Rwanda Anastase Murekezi and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Mr Ansari said Rwanda has put behind it the unfortunate genocide of 1994 and the efficient and clean city of Kigali captures the great strides that this country is taking on its path of growth and prosperity. He further said Rwanda today offers a range of prospects to investors, including in renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, tourism, and Information and Communications Technology.