Rwanda plans to develop trade and economic relations with Kazakhstan

Astana, June 9, 2023 – The delegation of Rwanda headed by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Uzziel Ndagijimana visited Kazakhstan to participate in the Astana International Forum.

The Minister of Rwanda took part in the Plenary session of the Forum, and also acted as a speaker at the panel session on the topic: «Forefront of Finance: Innovation as a Driving Force for Sustainability». In his speech, he shared the experience of Rwanda's sustainable development and deep reforms in the economy. International experts often refer to Rwanda as the "African Lion" for the country's achievements in sustainable development and economic progress.

Experts note the high level of security, stability and development of the country, achieved through smart management and large-scale reforms, in the center of which specific goals were identified to increase the income of citizens. In particular, Rwanda plans to enter the list of middle-income countries by 2035 and the list of high-income countries by 2050.

On the sidelines of the Forum, H.E. Mr. Uzziel Ndagidzhimana held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Alibek Kuantyrov, Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The parties discussed the status and prospects of economic cooperation, agreed to promote the intensification of cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

In addition, the Minister of Rwanda held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Kairat Torebaev, Vice-Minister of Trade and integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main topic of the talks was the discussion of the state and prospects for increasing the volume of mutual trade and developing logistics routes for the delivery of goods. Rwanda, like Kazakhstan, is a landlocked country, and adheres to a multilateral foreign economic policy, giving preference to pragmatism and mutual benefit in building bilateral economic ties.

In general, the parties highly appreciated the potential of trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Rwanda, and agreed to make efforts at their level to develop business ties and increase the volume of mutual trade.