Kagame visits Hyundai

As part of his 3 day visit to South Korea, President Paul Kagame yesterday visited the Hyundai Heavy Industries and Automobile Plant based in Ulsan, Seoul, where he was shown around the various facilities. The Head of State was given a guided tour of different activities including shipbuilding, offshore drilling and engineering, construction equipment and green energy. He also toured the Hyundai automobile manufacturing facility, the world’s fourth largest car maker, producing 1.6 million units annually. Rwanda’s Ambassador to Korea, Eugene Kayihura, who was part of the delegation pointed out that Rwanda, has a lot to learn from the multilateral company. “The President’s visit to Hyundai serves on one hand as a learning experience and on the other, as an opportunity to discuss investment in the great lakes region, with Rwanda as its hub,” Kayihura said. “With a leading global company such as Hyundai in the region, this means job creation, innovation, export and skills transfer. Another area we are discussing is the possibility of organizing internships at Hyundai for Rwanda vocational students as part of our knowledge sharing program,” he added. Founded in 1947 and headquartered in the Korean capital Seoul, the company is globally known for its Hyundai Motor Company division and shipbuilding. Current President of Korea, Lee Myung-bak was a former CEO of the Hyundai Engineering and Construction. Today President Kagame is schedule to visit two more sites in Seoul; Samsung and Korean Internet and Security Agency (KISA). Meanwhile, on Wednesday, President Paul Kagame met and held discussions with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon. Ban appreciated President Kagame’s inspiring remarks during the opening of the High Level Forum on aid effectiveness, pointing out that Rwanda continues to inspire other African countries. President Kagame and Ban Ki Moon also discussed development in the Great Lakes region, including elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Secretary General thanked President Kagame for hosting a successful peace building conference in Rwanda, of which the outcome is quite promising. On the same day, the Head of State held talk with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak. The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues including development, infrastructure, trade and investment. President Lee pledged Korea’s support in nurturing skilled human resources in Rwanda, through Seoul-funded projects, especially in the area of Information and Communications Technology. President Kagame thanked the Korean President for the continued support Korea provides to Rwanda in areas of agriculture, ICT and Education. edmund.kagire@newtimes.co.rw

National

Kagame visits Hyundai