Rwandan President Kagame meets President Tharman and PM Wong, hosted to meal by SM Lee
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In a Facebook post, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said President Paul Kagame “has steered Rwanda’s new national journey”.
PHOTO: MDDI
SINGAPORE - Rwanda is a compelling story of how social peace drives economic development, and despite its smaller size and landlocked geography, the country is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, said Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
In a Facebook post on Sept 20, Mr Tharman added that he was delighted to again meet visiting Rwandan President Paul Kagame, “who has steered Rwanda’s new national journey”.
Mr Tharman said: “Our two countries have been close partners. We discussed the new areas of cooperation being worked on – including carbon credits, digital and fintech cooperation, and solutions for water resilience.”
He added that the country has succeeded through “colossal effort to overcome a bloody history of conflict between its two main tribes, the Hutus and the Tutsis – including the genocide against the Tutsis in 1994, when 800,000 people were killed”.
Today, it has made large strides in education and healthcare, and information and communication technology infrastructure.
“And it is attracting greater foreign investment. And tourists drawn by its beautiful natural landscapes,” Mr Tharman added.
The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), in a statement on Sept 20, said that both leaders reaffirmed friendly ties between Singapore and Rwanda, which share a common status as small states.
They also discussed ways to strengthen entrepreneurial and people-to-people ties between both countries.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, in a separate Facebook post, said Rwanda and Singapore are geographically far apart, but as small nations with limited resources, both countries have much in common.
He added that he was happy to meet Mr Kagame at the Istana on Sept 20, and that both countries already work together at the multilateral level, including at the United Nations and the Forum of Small States.
He said: “Bilaterally, the links between our countries have increased over the years. During our meeting, we discussed ways to enhance cooperation in areas like digitalisation, fintech and sustainable development.”
The Prime Minister added that he looked forward to further strengthening bilateral ties with Rwanda.
The MFA statement said PM Wong and Mr Kagame also discussed boosting bilateral cooperation, including in areas like carbon credits.
PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, witnessed the exchange of the protocol amending the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.
Mr Kagame was also hosted to a meal by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sept 20, the statement added.
SM Lee and Mr Kagame discussed developments in Rwanda and the East African Community.
They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, the statement said.
Correction note: The story has been edited for clarity.
