Karachi: High Commissioner of Rwanda, Harerimana Fatou, has called for enhanced bilateral trade and investment relations between Rwanda and Pakistan during her visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
She urged KCCI to connect with the Rwanda Development Board to facilitate trade opportunities.
Speaking at the meeting, she said, “Despite being a small country, Rwanda is keenly looking forward to working together with Pakistan. As an open market, Rwanda can be easily accessed, and Pakistani businessmen can benefit from Rwanda’s Free Trade Agreements with many countries in the African region.”
The high commissioner referred to Pakistan’s “Look Africa Policy” and emphasized Rwanda’s potential in sectors like mines and minerals. “Opening a business in Rwanda is very easy and can be done online within two hours through the Rwanda Development Board. Additionally, visa-on-arrival facilities are also available at Rwandan airports,” she said.
Fatou highlighted Rwanda’s tourism sector, which contributes 65% of its budget revenue and attracts two million tourists annually. She pointed out that Rwanda’s tea exports account for 45% of the tea imported into Pakistan but are currently routed through Kenya.
“The business community of Karachi must look into the possibility of directly importing tea from Rwanda instead of Kenya. I am here to connect you with Rwandan tea and coffee producers to promote direct exports from Kigali to Karachi,” she said.
The high commissioner also noted Rwanda’s exports of minerals, vegetables, and beans, and suggested increasing these volumes. She said Pakistan exports rice, cooking oil, and pharmaceuticals to Rwanda in smaller amounts and added, “We import these products in large quantities from India and China. Why not source them from Pakistan?”
