Editor, RE: “Trust is foundation of Rwanda’s progress - Kagame” (The New Times, December 6). I followed with keen interest the hashtag, “#MeetThePresident” for the event that took place at the Kigali Convention Centre under the theme “Fostering Strategic Investments in Rwanda”. It is commendable that the event was attended by around 2,000 members of the local business community. It is a matter of pride that Remarkable Rwanda advocates good governance, ease of doing business and zero tolerance to corruption. An investor can register his business online or if he prefers to visit the office of the Registrar General at the headquarters of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Kigali—the entire business registration process is completed in a record time of under six hours! Such a smooth business registration procedure—coupled with the world-class service of the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration in processing online visa applications in a matter of just a few hours—makes Rwanda an attractive investment destination. However, it is of paramount importance to also complete the entire licensing procedure and related permissions/formalities within a reasonable time frame so that investments are stimulated and the investor can commence business activity and start getting a return on his investment. This will develop a positive mindset for the investor and implicit trust in seeing that the investments are not just secure, but that they are also productive, resulting in “good initiatives and successful businesses” as President Paul Kagame very rightly indicated. Clarence Fernandes
