Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has assured Rwanda of Pakistan\u2019s full support in facilitating investment, promoting direct trade and strengthening institutional cooperation between the two countries.<\/p>\n
The minister held a meeting with Rwandan High Commissioner to Pakistan H.E. Harerimana Fatou, who called on him along with First Secretary Kwibuka Esdras at the BOI. Senior BOI officials, including Director General Abdul Samie and Director Irfan Marwat, also attended the meeting.<\/p>\n
The discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade and investment, improving business-to-business engagement, strengthening institutional cooperation and identifying new areas of economic partnership between Pakistan and Rwanda.<\/p>\n
Welcoming the Rwandan envoy, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh appreciated the continued engagement of the Rwanda High Commission with the Government of Pakistan and the Board of Investment. He said Pakistan attaches great importance to strengthening economic relations with Rwanda and is committed to providing maximum facilitation to investors and businesses from both countries.<\/p>\n
The High Commissioner recalled her repeated interactions with him, saying that her engagements had made her feel at home in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
A major focus of the meeting was the upcoming Rwanda-Pakistan Investment Forum, scheduled to be held from September 23 to 25 in Kigali.<\/p>\n
Harerimana Fatou formally invited the federal minister to participate in the forum, which she said would bring together government representatives, investors and private-sector stakeholders from both countries.<\/p>\n
She explained that, following discussions with Pakistan\u2019s Ministry of Commerce, the event had been designated an Investment Forum because of the scale of investment opportunities and the emphasis on private-sector participation.<\/p>\n
The Rwandan side expressed strong interest in Pakistani sectors like pharmaceuticals and textiles, where Pakistan holds established industrial capabilities. Rwanda also identified key products, including rice, medical equipment and sports goods, as areas with high export potential to the East African country.<\/p>\n
The High Commissioner informed the minister that business relations between Rwanda and Pakistan had grown by more than 55 percent since she assumed her diplomatic responsibilities in Pakistan, highlighting the considerable scope for further expansion.<\/p>\n
Both sides also explored the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between relevant institutions of the two countries.<\/p>\n
The meeting also discussed the possibility of exploring a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in the future to provide a stronger legal and institutional foundation for investment relations.<\/p>\n
Trade in tea emerged as another important area of discussion. The Rwandan High Commissioner highlighted her country\u2019s position as a major producer of coffee and tea and expressed a desire to establish stronger direct trade links with Pakistan. She noted that while Pakistan imports Rwandan tea, a significant portion reaches the Pakistani market through Kenya.<\/p>\n
She said Rwanda wants to promote direct tea exports to Pakistan, reducing unnecessary intermediaries and creating stronger commercial relationships between businesses in the two countries.<\/p>\n
The High Commissioner said a Rwandan delegation was expected to visit Pakistan in October to engage directly with the tea industry in Karachi.<\/p>\n
She also briefed the minister on logistical challenges arising from Rwanda\u2019s landlocked status, with the country relying significantly on neighboring states, particularly Kenya, for access to seaports. Banking and payment-transfer challenges, as well as the involvement of intermediaries in bilateral trade, were also discussed.<\/p>\n
Qaiser assured the Rwandan delegation that the BOI would extend full support in addressing these challenges.<\/p>\n
He proposed involving chambers of commerce, business associations and private-sector stakeholders to develop practical solutions and establish sustainable business linkages.<\/p>\n
The minister said Africa represented a major and largely untapped market for Pakistani businesses, offering opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, healthcare, engineering, sports goods and other sectors.<\/p>\n
He stressed the need for Pakistan to strengthen its commercial presence across African markets and build direct relationships with African investors and businesses.<\/p>\n
The meeting also touched upon educational and institutional cooperation.<\/p>\n
Qaiser invited the High Commissioner to visit his constituency and offered to facilitate a visit to FAST National University in Chiniot, where possibilities for academic cooperation, student exchanges and other institutional linkages could be explored.<\/p>\n
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that stronger institutional coordination, direct private-sector engagement and regular interaction between government authorities would be crucial to unlocking the significant potential of Pakistan-Rwanda economic relations.<\/p>\n
Qaiser reiterated that the Board of Investment would continue to provide all possible facilitation to Rwandan investors and Pakistani businesses seeking opportunities in Rwanda, with the aim of converting bilateral goodwill into sustainable and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has assured Rwanda of Pakistan\u2019s full support in facilitating investment, promoting direct trade and strengthening institutional cooperation between the two countries. The minister held a meeting with Rwandan High Commissioner to Pakistan H.E. Harerimana Fatou, […]<\/p>\n
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