UK-Rwanda Trade & Investment Forum 2014

On October 22nd, at Plaisterers' Hall, London, Developing Markets Associates (DMA) in association with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda hosted the UK-Rwanda Trade & Investment Forum 2014.

This highly acclaimed event was attended by over 300 delegates including key stakeholders and high level representatives from both the public and private sectors.

Opening addresses were given by Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive of Developing Markets Associates; HE Williams Nkurunziza, Rwandan High Commissioner to the UK; and Desmond Swayne, Minister of State, DFID. HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda then gave a keynote address.



The opening session, chaired by Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, provided an overview of the Economic Outlook and Financial Sector Development in Rwanda and included presentations from Hon Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance & Economic Planning; Hon Francis Gatare, CEO, Rwanda Development Board; and Dr Alvaro Sobrinho, Chairman, Invest Bank Rwanda.

The following two sessions provided an overview of investment opportunities in Infrastructure & Energy and Extractives. These sessions were chaired by Professor Sir David King, Special Representative for Climate Change; and Haydon Warren-Gash, Director, Developing Markets Associates, respectively. The audience enjoyed presentations from Hon James Musoni, Minister of Infrastructure; Robert Nyamvumba, Managing Director, Energy Development Corporation; Alex Marshall, Group Marketing & Compliance Manager, Clarke Energy; Nic Rudnick, Chief Executive, Liquid Telecom Group; Malik Faraoun, Principal Investment Officer, Africa50, African Development Board; Hon Evode Imena, Minister of State, Ministry of Natural Resources; Hon Francois Kanimba, Minister of Trade & Industry; Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Director General, Rwanda Natural Resources Authority; David Bensusan, Managing Director, Minerals Supply Africa; Brian Menell, Chief Executive, Tinco Investments; and Ben Smit, Director, Piran Resources.

The fourth and final session provided an overview of investment opportunities in Agriculture & Tourism and was chaired by Roger Martin, Director, Developing Markets Associates. Presentations were given by Hon Tony Nsanganira, Minister of State for Agriculture & Animal Resources; Ambassador Yamina Karitanyi, Head of Tourism & Conservation, Rwanda Development Board; Hon Francis Gatare, CEO, Rwanda Development Board; David Mills, CEO, Weathersafe; and Cren Sandys-Lumsdaine, General Manager, McLeod Russel India Limited.

Closing remarks were given by HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, before guests were invited to take part in a Gala Reception.

UK-Rwanda Trade & Investment Forum 2014
Plaisterers' Hall, City of London

Programme of the Day

0800-0900: Registration & Refreshments

09:00-09:15: Welcome Addresses and Opening Comments
• Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates
• HE Williams Nkurunziza, Rwandan High Commissioner to the UK

09:15-09:30: Opening Address
• Desmond Swayne, Minister of State, DFID

09:30-10:00: Keynote Speech
• HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda

10:00-11:15: Session 1 – Economic Outlook & Financial Sector Development
Chair: Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP  
• Hon Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance & Economic Planning
• Hon Francis Gatare, CEO, Rwanda Development Board
• Dr Alvaro Sobrinho, Chairman, Invest Bank Rwanda
Q & A session

11:15-11:45: Refreshments Break

11:45-13:00: Session 2 – Investing in Infrastructure – Energy, Logistics and ICT
Chair: Prof Sir David King, Special Representative for Climate Change
• Hon James Musoni, Minister of Infrastructure
• Robert Nyamvumba, Managing Director, Energy Development Corporation
• Alex Marshall, Group Marketing & Compliance Manager, Clarke Energy
• Nic Rudnick, Chief Executive, Liquid Telecom Group
• Malik Faraoun, Principal Investment Officer, Africa50, African Development Bank
Q & A session

13:00-14:00: Networking Lunch

14:00-15:15: Session 3 –  Investing in Extractives and Manufacturing
Chair: Haydon Warren-Gash, Director, Developing Markets Associates
• Hon Evode Imena, Minister of State, Ministry of Natural Resources
• Hon François Kanimba, Minister of Trade and Industry
• Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Director General, Rwanda Natural Resources Authority
• David Bensusan, Managing Director, Minerals Supply Africa
• Brian Menell, Chief Executive, Tinco Investments
• Ben Smit, Director, Piran Resources
Q & A session

15:15-15:45: Refreshment Break

15:45-17:00: Session 4 -  Investing in Agriculture and Tourism
Chair: Roger Martin, Director, Developing Markets Associates
• Hon Tony Nsanganira, Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources
• Ambassador Yamina Karitanyi, Head of Tourism & Conservation, Rwanda Development Board
• Hon Francis Gatare, CEO, Rwanda Development Board
• David Mills, CEO, Weathersafe
• Cren Sandys-Lumsdaine, General Manager, McLeod Russel India Limited
Q & A session

17:00-17:15: Closing Remarks
• HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda

17:15-19:00: Gala Networking Reception

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