Rwanda would be accorded priority in the 8 billion pounds earmarked by the United Kingdom to spur investment in Africa.
The British High Commissioner to Rwanda,
Joanne Lomas, assured the Rwanda as a priority beneficiary of the fund
set aside for investment in Africa by the UK ahead of its exit from
European Union (Brexit).
Joanne Lomas, assured the Rwanda as a priority beneficiary of the fund
set aside for investment in Africa by the UK ahead of its exit from
European Union (Brexit).
From 31st March of 2019, the UK is set to
officially get out of the EU, and the exact terms of the withdraw will
become clearer by October this year while the implementation of exit
will be extended to 31st December 2020.
officially get out of the EU, and the exact terms of the withdraw will
become clearer by October this year while the implementation of exit
will be extended to 31st December 2020.
Before Brexit, the 8 billion pounds
envelope will be injected in areas of clean energy, climate research,
development in African countries.
envelope will be injected in areas of clean energy, climate research,
development in African countries.
“That means we can start negotiating our
own trade agreements with less disruption in many other policies we have
with the EU and around the world, and we hope these will be fairer and
realistic,” said High Commissioner Lomas
during a press briefing this Friday September 7, 2018.
own trade agreements with less disruption in many other policies we have
with the EU and around the world, and we hope these will be fairer and
realistic,” said High Commissioner Lomas
during a press briefing this Friday September 7, 2018.
The briefing comes days after the Special
Africa week-long tour by the British Prime Minister Theresa May. At the
end of August, May visited Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
Africa week-long tour by the British Prime Minister Theresa May. At the
end of August, May visited Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
In Rwanda, British High Commissioner,
said the UK will increase its presence and staffing in trade relations
because Rwanda is a politically stable country which has had a long
standing bilateral and investment relationship with
the UK.
said the UK will increase its presence and staffing in trade relations
because Rwanda is a politically stable country which has had a long
standing bilateral and investment relationship with
the UK.
“We will increase our staff (in Rwanda)
predominantly from the department of international trade,” Lomas said.
So far UK government is the largest budget funder for Rwanda.
predominantly from the department of international trade,” Lomas said.
So far UK government is the largest budget funder for Rwanda.
British based private sector investments
are over $300million injected by 12 British companies and investment
groups operating in the country.
are over $300million injected by 12 British companies and investment
groups operating in the country.
Lomas, who took office duties in January
this year said that political rows that existed between her government
and Rwanda in recent past are a history that was left behind.
this year said that political rows that existed between her government
and Rwanda in recent past are a history that was left behind.
“We may have disagreements occasionally
but this doesn’t come in the way of having a constructive partnership…my
perception is that Rwanda is an amazing country and we are excited
about working with Rwanda,” Lomas said.
but this doesn’t come in the way of having a constructive partnership…my
perception is that Rwanda is an amazing country and we are excited
about working with Rwanda,” Lomas said.
