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| Minister Nsengimana (L) and RDB CEO Rugwabiza during the media briefing yesterday. The New Times/John Mbanda |
Representatives from some of the world's
largest Information and communications technology companies will this
weekend jet into the country ahead of next week's Transform Africa ICT
Summit.
Investors from Google, Microsoft, Samsung and Facebook, have all confirmed their participation in the forthcoming ICT Summit.
The companies' representatives will not only attend but also showcase their products in an exhibition at the summit.
According to Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the Minister for Youth and
ICT, Transform Africa ICT summit presents an opportunity to explore and
tap investments in the country.
"This summit presents a vast range of investment opportunities to
both local and international investors not only in ICTs business but
also other sector," he said.
Transform Africa 2013 shall be co-hosted by President Paul Kagame and
Dr. Hamadoun I. Toure, Secretary General of the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) on Monday, October 28 to 31.
Direct impact:
Nsengimanana, who was addressing the media yesterday, further noted that the summit will have a direct impact on the economy.
"We expect over 1,200 delegates including about seven Heads of State
who have already confirmed their attendance; this is a great business
opportunity for those in the supply chain including hoteliers, tourism
industry, food and crafts industry, security, financial services, among
others."
Valentine Sendanyoye Rugwabiza, a Cabinet member and the Chief
Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board, called on stakeholders to
emphasise the use of ICTs in their business in order to fill the gaps
in the country's investments and export sector.
"Rwanda's ICT industry is the catalyst to its economic and social
transformation for those living and investing in the country. It has the
capacity to bring us more investors, improve on our agro productivity
and make our export industry more competitive."
According to Rugwabiza, the bottle necks within the ICT business
present business opportunities for both local and international
investors to exploit.
The minister said the summit will also focus on how ICTs can be
employed successfully in agriculture, education, government service
delivery, small medium enterprise, financial inclusion, environment and
infrastructure.
It's projected that the rapid deployment of high speed broadband
capability in Rwanda will help accelerate development of the country's
ICT sector, create jobs, thus improving socio-economic conditions.
Ninety-five per cent broadband penetration is expected to translate
into a 10 per cent to 13 per cent boost in the country's GDP.
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