Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari, who launched India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme.

Kigali, Feb 21: India and Rwanda have signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), including a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) as a step towards building better relationship between the two nations. During India-Rwanda Business Forum last night, both the nations signed the MoUs, which also included the establishment of an Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) and an agreement for the exemption of Visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders. The agreement was inked by Amar Sinha, Secretary of Ministry of External Affairs, India, and three Rwandan ministers in the presence of Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari, who also launched India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme. On the occasion, Mr Ansari said the direct air service will benefit not only the business community but also the Rwandan people, who visit India for the health and education purposes also. "India issues at least 500 students Visa to Rwandan students, who visit the country for higher education under scholarship programmes," he said. He said, "Several Rwandans, who have travelled to India for medical treatment, have returned satisfied. India is also increasingly becoming a preferred destination for quality and affordable education for Rwandan students.” The Vice-President said India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme is being launched to expand ties in Science, Technology and Innovation, and the programme aims at creating an ecosystem wherein Indian innovations and technology enterprises will thrive and encourage business ventures from both sides. The India-Rwanda Business Forum was organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. The Prime Minister of Rwanda Anastase Murekezi and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Mr Ansari said Rwanda has put behind it the unfortunate genocide of 1994 and the efficient and clean city of Kigali captures the great strides that this country is taking on its path of growth and prosperity. He further said Rwanda today offers a range of prospects to investors, including in renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, tourism, and Information and Communications Technology. Trade between India and Rwanda has been gradually increasing over the last few years, he added. “The translation of ideas and innovations into practical applications will require the three Ds of Discovery, Development and Delivery. We are now ready to work with our partners in Rwanda and other partners of Africa in transferring our experience in building an innovation driven economy,” he added. After signing the MoUs, Mr Murekezi informed the gathering that the flight connecting Mumbai and Kigali will start April this year. It was a long pending demand from the Indian business community and Rwandan citizens. Mr Murekezi hoped that the three MoUs would boost the bilateral relations in several sectors including Science and Technology, health and education. He said the Rwandan government was committed to making the bilateral ties grow stronger.