{"id":68562,"date":"2026-09-18T14:11:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T14:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=68562"},"modified":"2026-09-18T20:20:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T20:20:47","slug":"actualizing-the-dormant-engage-africa-policy-pak-africa-economic-council-to-take-business-delegation-to-rwanda-investment-forum-in-kigali-next-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/actualizing-the-dormant-engage-africa-policy-pak-africa-economic-council-to-take-business-delegation-to-rwanda-investment-forum-in-kigali-next-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Actualizing the Dormant Engage Africa Policy | Pak Africa Economic Council to Take Business Delegation to Rwanda | Investment Forum in Kigali next Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Report : Tazeen Akhtar | Camera : Raja Ghulam Farid<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Pakistan is finally moving forward to the implementation of what we have been hearing and reading , The Look Africa and Engage Africa, now after a gap of 8 years after the policies were devised and 18 years after any high-level visit to the continent of today. Pakistan Africa Economic Council PAEC and High Commission of Rwanda have joined hands to actualize the above mentioned policies on the ground and in reality.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Here it is worth mentioning that the last high level visit to Africa from Pakistan was 17 years ago and after that Pakistan lost the most welcoming and the most promising market of 54 countries and 1.5 billion population. Now the PAEC and Rwanda H.C has chalked out a well thought and worked plan to engage Africa starting from Rwanda and the first step is Rwanda Pakistan Investment Conference that is taking place in the most clean and green capital in Africa , Kigali from 23 to 25 Sep.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

H.E. Harerimana Fatou, High Commissioner<\/strong> of Rwanda to Pakistan and Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Patron In Chief, Pakistan Africa Economic Council shared the details in a joint press conference. They announced the upcoming visit of a Pakistani business delegation to Kigali. Dr Robina Awan, focal person for the Prime Minister Youth program was also present at the occasion.<\/p>\n

The delegation comprises representatives of Pakistan\u2019s business and investment community and will engage with Rwandan government institutions, business leaders, investors and private-sector representatives to explore opportunities for trade, investment, joint ventures and business partnerships.<\/p>\n

A key milestone of the visit will be the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement<\/strong> between Rwanda and Pakistan, marking an important step towards strengthening the institutional framework for bilateral trade.<\/p>\n

High Commissioner said the Investment Forum represents a broader effort to transform Rwanda-Pakistan relations into a stronger partnership in trade, investment, technology, manufacturing and business-to-business cooperation. The Forum should be seen as a beginning, not an endpoint. It will provide a platform for serious business discussions and help identify concrete opportunities for cooperation, partnerships and agreements.<\/p>\n

\"\"She highlighted Rwanda as a gateway<\/strong> to the wider African market, encouraging Pakistani companies to view Rwanda not only as a market but as a destination for investment, production, joint ventures and regional expansion. Rwanda offers Pakistani businesses an opportunity to establish themselves in an investment environment that places considerable emphasis on predictability, facilitation and access to regional markets.<\/p>\n

” Rwanda Pakistan relationship is growing as a Pakistani business delegation will travel to Kigali for the Forum, in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board. This Forum is not simply another business event. It is part of a broader effort to transform the relationship into a stronger partnership in trade, investment, technology, manufacturing and people-to-people economic cooperation, she added.<\/p>\n

The High Commissioner while sharing the attractions for Pakistani businessmen said,\u00a0 investment in Rwanda can therefore provide a platform not only for the Rwandan market but for engagement with the wider East African market. The message we are taking to Pakistani businesses is straightforward: Do not look at Rwanda only as a market of approximately 14 million people. Look at Rwanda as a gateway to Africa, a much larger regional market for 1.4 billion.<\/p>\n

H.E Harerimana Fatou<\/strong> said , “Our objective is clear: We need trade, investment, joint ventures, technology transfer and stronger business-to-business ties. The Rwanda High Commission, together with the Rwanda Development Board and our Pakistani partners, will continue facilitating these connections.”<\/p>\n

” Rwanda welcomes Pakistani businesses across sectors, including textiles, construction, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and entrepreneurship. We are ready to facilitate the conversation and turn opportunities into partnerships. The Government of the Republic of Rwanda welcomed the signing of the Bilateral trade Agreement in the margin of the investment Forum as a milestone to boost the trade and investment between our two countries. ”<\/p>\n

\"\"Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan<\/strong>, Patron In Chief, Pakistan Africa Economic Council, described the Pakistan-Rwanda Investment Forum as an important initiative at a time when Africa, particularly East Africa and Rwanda, is emerging as a growing destination for global investment.<\/p>\n

He highlighted Rwanda\u2019s peace, stability, competitive operating environment, skilled workforce and investor-friendly policies, noting the opportunities these offer to Pakistani businesses. He said the participation of a 15\u201316-member Pakistani delegation from PAEC would help explore avenues for trade, investment and employment, including greater opportunities for Pakistan\u2019s skilled youth.<\/p>\n

Hamid Asghar Khan enlightened\u00a0 the intending business community on the potential and promises they can fined in Africa entering through Rwanda. He made clear that all the ingredients \/ incentives an investor may wish are available in Rwanda either it is land or energy prices and ownership of your businesses or taking your profit out of country are concerned. He gave the example of electricity rates as 20 cents unit in Pakistan that is available in Africa for .5 cent a unit.<\/p>\n

He said , no country can promote its economy in isolation. Pakistan has great opportunities in Africa. He recalled his almost a decade of work on Africa being Ambassador of Pakistan and recently the head of African Desk at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n

Hamid shared that seeing the potential in Africa , he initiated the process of opening of Pakistani High Commission in Rwanda and contributed his vision and observations when Look Africa and Engage Africa Policies were finalized. He also recalled his meeting with the President of Rwanda in Rabat of Morocco where he served as Ambassador.<\/p>\n