Rwanda News Agency/Agence Rwandaise d'Information (Kigali)
2 July 2008
interview
Stockholm — In November 2006, Rwanda closed its long-standing Paris Embassy and immediately opened a new post in Sweden. Last year, Lawmaker Jacqueline Mukangira was handed the diplomatic credentials for the same office covering the Nordic region. She now tells RNA that just a few months into her job, Swedish multinational corporations companies are trekking to Rwanda for business, in addition to increased development support. Read interview:
RNA: What would you say are the most distinctive features of the relationship between Sweden and Rwanda?
Sweden's development cooperation with Rwanda started after the 1994 genocide, and at that time, the focus was on humanitarian assistance in a form of emergency relief. This partnership was principally through International Organisations. Gradually, that aid changed from being purely humanitarian intervention, but also to support Rwanda's own efforts to build a peaceful and stable nation. It was in 1996 that further formal bilateral development cooperation started.
Support from Sweden to Rwanda is given to most areas of priority, such include those designed to bring reconciliation, build up state Institutions, implementation of economic reforms and improving education. An agreement was signed in 2004 between Rwanda and Sweden, which stipulated that cooperation should be targeted at: Promoting the fight against poverty, sustainable economic and social development, Human Rights and equality between men and women; Helping to develop administration and institutions that contribute to democratic governance, peace, national unity and reconciliation as well as respecting human rights; Underpinning Rwandan society in various areas; Contributing to economic reforms and macroeconomic stability.
Other collaborative efforts between Sweden and Rwanda include, Country Strategy for Swedish development cooperation with Rwanda which was adopted in 2004, for the period 2004-2008. A new five year Country Strategy for the Swedish development cooperation is being prepared.
Today, Rwanda is among the twelve countries that receive long term development assistance from Sweden, out of thirty Countries with which Sweden has bi-lateral relations.
To strengthen cooperation in the Nordic Countries, Rwanda opened an Embassy in Sweden in July 2007 and it covers 4 Nordic Countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland). This is a strong example that explains how Rwanda enjoys strong and excellent relations with Sweden.
From the 6th to the 8th of March 2008, Mr. Anders NORDSTRÖM, Director General of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) paid a working visit to Rwanda to hold discussions with various Rwandan authorities and take stock of the implementation of the programmes and projects funded by SIDA in Rwanda.
The Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation, Madam Gunilla CARLSSON visited Rwanda on 10th-11th January, 2008. This was a second Ministerial visit by a Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation in two years, this visit followed a previous visit by Madam Carin JAMTIN, who was then Minister for International Development Cooperation and who visited Rwanda in 2006. Similarly, both countries diplomatic esteem through visits clarify a lasting cooperation, the two visits by Swedish diplomats followed a visit by Hon. Charles MURIGANDE, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation who had paid an official visit to Sweden in November 2005.
H.E President Paul KAGAME had also visited Sweden in 2004 at the invitation of the then Swedish Prime Minister.
RNA: Apart from bilateral support that Sweden gives to Rwanda in form of budget support, is there any other engagements that Sweden has with Rwanda?
The Rwanda-Swedish partnership focuses on such areas as budget support, good governance, ICT and capacity building for the Rwanda National Police and the Office of the Auditor General. In fact, the current Memorandum of Understanding specifies four major areas of development cooperation between Sweden and Rwanda: Peace development and Democratic Governance; Democracy and Human Rights Peace and Reconciliation; Social Progress; Education; Economic Reforms; and Research collaboration
RNA: Are there any business ties between Swedish business and Rwanda?
Both the Swedish government and the Rwandan government have a big focus on trade and investment, as they see this as the key to sustainable development. A vigorous economy will not only improve people's lives but also help maintain peace and stability in our Country, as well as combat corruption. This is a top priority for the new Swedish Government together which is promoting human rights and issues such as gender equality.
Swedish companies are encouraged to invest in Rwanda. After the Embassy of Rwanda in Sweden was opened last year, a lot of contacts have been made with different companies for promoting Rwanda's trade, tourism and investment interests.
For instance, from 23rd to 25th October 2007, with the support of Swedish Embassy in Nairobi and the Swedish Trade Council, a trade delegation of 19 people visited Rwanda, including large Swedish companies as ABB, SCANIA, SWEDFUND, AREVA T&D etc..
There is also another activity planned for the autumn 2008, where Swedish companies will be invited to an information forum on investment possibilities in Rwanda, arranged by the Embassy of Rwanda in Sweden.
The aim of the activity is to create business ties and a sustainable economy.
RNA: From your experience in Sweden, what would you say are the aspects that Rwanda can learn from Sweden, and that Sweden can learn from Rwanda?
Both Rwanda and Sweden put gender equality, good governance and the importance of a strong and effective leadership at the top of their agendas. Presently, Rwanda even has more women in Parliament than Sweden and many other European countries, 48.8 per cent compared to 47 per cent in Sweden. Rwanda has the highest number of women in the Parliament worldwide.
The Swedish government has shown great appreciation the high level of involvement of women in decision-making bodies in Rwanda and the way how the reconciliation process has worked well after the genocide and because of good leadership, the role of GACACA courts and, - that how Rwanda participates in the international peace keeping efforts, for instance in Darfur.
Sweden has a very long tradition of building democracy from the grass root level and is also one of the leading countries in the ICT sector. Sweden is prominent for its vegetation. Rwanda can learn a lesson on how Sweden has embarked on wood as one of its export products, and at the same time, those trees which are used for wood keep the whole country green, and with fresh air.
The Swedish people could learn more about our GACACA courts that have been established to support the judiciary system in fulfilling the hopes of the population for sustainable reconciliation.
In fact, both the Rwandan Policy of the National Unity and Reconciliation and the Gacaca Courts have lead to Rwanda being seen as a model and study case that could be followed by other countries in a post conflict situation. Sweden can use such successful experience in these Countries.
What is also noted by many Swedes is that Rwandese are friendly people, and their hospitality is very much appreciated. Swedes are also known for their humble nature, excellent listening skills and hospitable. This quality of moral excellence would be of benefit if adopted by Rwandese, in fact, would help a lot in facilitating Rwanda in the reconstruction and development process.
In Short Rwanda has many social and economic lessons it can learn from Sweden amongst which are: Technology; Renewable energy; Education and Health etc
RNA: After the visit of officials from Swedish companies ABB, Scania, etc.to Rwanda, what has happened so far?
After the visit of the Swedish Trade delegation to Rwanda in October 2007, SCANIA decided to start business in Rwanda. They have already got plots in Kigali where to install their workshop.
AREVA T&D has some projects with ELECTROGAZ. The Nordic Development Fund (NDF) funded project under the Urgent Electricity Rehabilitation Project. The Project includes one new transformer substation and rehabilitation of five existing substations.
SWEDSURVEY is also supporting the Ministry of Natural Resources of Rwanda for the preparation of the National Land Use and Development Master Plan. SWEDFUND has also shown interest to start operating in our Country. ERICSSON is also willing to support Rwanda in the area of ICT.
RNA: Any other new projects/ventures under way from other organisations?
- Human Bridge visited Rwanda in January 2008 and had meetings with the Ministry of Health and will provide support to Rwanda with Hospital equipments.
- Next Generation Broadcasting visited Rwanda at the end of 2007 and held meetings with MININFRA , ORINFOR , RITA etc. and they are willing to help Rwanda to emigrate from analogue technology to digital in area of broadcastings.
SPIDER, the Swedish Program for ICT in Development Regions provides support to Rwanda in the ICT area (as detailed below):
SPIDER sent an ICT expert to assess RITA's plans and proposals on the establishment of a National Data Centre (NDC) in Rwanda. The expert carried out a feasibility study and reported back to Sida. Since then, Sida has entered into a new agreement with RITA on continued support on institutional capacity development for a period of three years (2007-2009).
SPIDER has approved funds for a two-year project in Rwanda for introducing ICT in agricultural extension.
SPIDER has a program named "Junior ICT experts" in order to send young graduates from Sweden, to work on short term assignments in developing Countries, helping SPIDER or Sida projects on a semi-volunteer basis. Within this program, RITA and NUR have asked SPIDER for one person each.
SPIDER delegation visited Rwanda in May 2008 and held fruitful meetings with the Minister at the Presidency Office in charge of ICT, and with other Public Institutions: RITA, NUR, KIST etc..
RNA: Any more information?
There have been other visits from Rwanda by Parliamentarians and other high Government officials, including officials on training and study visits, in most cases all sponsored by the Swedish Government:
- A delegation from the Rwandan Parliament and the Office of the Ombudsman visited Sweden in January 2008 and held the meeting with the Swedish Parliament, the Offices of the Ombudsman, IDEA, Nordic Africa Institute, etc.
Other visits of Parliamentarians will follow after the legislative elections in Rwanda. - Other delegations came to Sweden from the following Institutions:
ü Rwanda National Police.
ü Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA)
ü National Forest Agency (NAFA).
ü Ministry for Natural Resources.
ü Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST).
ü Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)
ü Rwanda Private Sector Federation (three Rwandan Companies were invited by Stockholm Chamber of Commerce to attend the Fair Trade Gastro Nord in Stockholm 22nd - 25th April, 2008. But, only one company SINA Gerard attended this Fair Trade).
ü National Unity and Reconciliation Commission
ü Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace (IRDP).
ü Ministry of Infrastructure
ü ELECTROGAZ (utilities provider)
ü CEPGL (The Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries including Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo)
Let's also note that on October 13-14th 2008, a big delegation from Rwanda, led by the Minister of State in charge of Energy, will attend a high level energy conference which will take place in Stockholm/Sweden.
The participants to this conference will include key actors within the energy sector from the twelve invited countries (Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe), as well as Swede. All countries will be represented from both public and private sectors.
The objective of this conference will be to identify sustainable solutions to the energy problems, utilising the private sector's possibilities to contribute to an improved energy situation.
On the 26th - 28th June 2008, there will be the first East African Community Investment Conference which will take place in Rwanda. Sweden among the EU countries will be represented by a number of companies for example PA Resources. PA Resources is a Swedish group whose business concept is to acquire, develop and extract oil and gas reserves and pursue exploitation to find new reserves. (End)
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