http://focus.rw/wp/2012/10/new-south-africa-envoy-to-rwanda-launches-business-forum/ New South Africa envoy to Rwanda launches business forum South Africa's Envoy to Rwanda, George Twala (extreme right) addresses participants who turned up at the business round table. (photo Farouk Kaweesi) South Africa's new envoy to Rwanda, George Twala yesterday launched the South Africa-Rwanda business roundtable, which will serve as forum to promote trade initiatives between the two economies. During its inaugural seating in Kigali, Ambassador Twala hosted a three-hour interactive meeting in which South African and local investors interacted on possible business prospects in either country. He said he is determined, during his term in Rwanda, to work closely with his Rwandan counterparts to create a reliable and enabling business environment to help investors in both countries to exploit available business opportunities. "Since my arrival in Rwanda, I have extensively engaged with Rwanda Ministers in the economic cluster as well as with key role-players and I am encouraged by the potential business opportunities in Rwanda. One of my main objectives is to play a role in stimulating and enhancing existing trade between our two countries," announced H.C Twala. During the meeting, representatives of some of South Africa's major investments in Rwanda testified to their prospecting colleagues who had flown in from South Africa to attend the event in the hope of spotting investment opportunities here. MTN-Rwanda, South African Airways, Rutongo Mines Limited were some of the success stories with South African background at the meeting. Vivian Kayitesi, Rwanda Development Board's investment promotions director was on hand to present Rwanda's portfolio to the guests detailing key investment opportunities especially in the energy, agriculture and service sector. "We must say that though Rwanda is proud to have about eighteen South African investments, we can do more than that. These are still not very many and we are ready to welcome more," remarked Kayitesi. But the business forum is intended to be a two-way where not only South African investors can come to Rwanda but also Rwandan investors finding it easy to export capital to South Africa, the 27th biggest economy in the world. Examples of Rwandans who have worked in South Africa for decades such as Albert Gatari and Manzi Kayihura were given opportunities to testify and help change perceptions most Rwandans have of South Africa including allegations that foreigners are not safe in that country. As a way forward, investors in both countries were urged to be good will ambassadors who will gradually help change negative perception of both countries to build positive and attractive images able to attract investment to both countries. PSF CEO Hannington Namara said both Rwanda and South Africa have dark histories that make the two countries alike in that aspect. "That means with this forum, we are presented an opportunity to conquer our past and see opportunities to grow and this can best be done through strong public private partnerships in which the private sector can be helped to pursue ambitious investment ventures in both countries," observed Namara. Lack of strong business oriented forums in the past have seen investments from South Africa come and fail but with stronger institutions, new resolve and the new found economic stability in both countries will be banked on to revive a new revolution for South Africa-Rwanda trade ties. With over 50 million people and a great industrial economy, South Africa presents a sea of opportunities for Rwanda which is a land locked country. As the world's top producer of minerals such as gold, platinum, rhodium, chrome, manganese and vanadium, South Africa could be very resourceful to Rwanda, which is trying to modernize the mining sector as a major source of foreign currency. The forum will therefore enable both countries to see how to best exploit the opportunities presented from either side. Already, South Africans require no VISAs to travel to Rwanda and the request before the High Commissioner to advocate for a similar move from the South African side to help Rwandans who need a week or more to obtain visas to South Africa. Posted by Kenneth Agutamba on Oct 24 2012. Filed under Business, Other News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry