Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Harerimana Fatou, reiterated Kigali’s readiness to back private-sector initiatives between the two countries during a virtual business forum organised by the Rwanda High Commission in Islamabad and the Rwanda Development Board. Emphasising South–South cooperation, she said Rwanda offers a gateway to East Africa while Pakistan provides a vibrant market, and that strengthened Rwanda Pakistan trade links can deliver practical outcomes.
Representatives from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation and the Rwanda Development Board exchanged views on emerging opportunities and steps to expand bilateral commerce. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh highlighted agro-processing, manufacturing and services as priority sectors, praised Rwanda’s investor-friendly policies and called for the formation of a Pakistan–Rwanda Business Council alongside talks on a Preferential Trade Agreement to advance Rwanda Pakistan trade.
The Rwanda Development Board delegation outlined the country’s economic environment, pointing to transparent regulations, zero ownership restrictions for foreign investors and competitive tax measures as attractors for overseas capital. RDB officials invited Pakistani entrepreneurs to examine prospects in logistics, agriculture, tourism and renewable energy and underscored how Rwanda Pakistan trade cooperation can be scaled through targeted investment.
TDAP Director General Abdul Karim urged the removal of non-tariff barriers to improve market access and stressed the need for continuous engagement through trade fairs and single-country exhibitions. He also announced Pakistan’s intent to organise a dedicated trade exhibition in Rwanda to promote Pakistani products and services and to deepen Rwanda Pakistan trade relations.
The interactive session that followed allowed business leaders from both countries to raise sector-specific questions and identify potential collaborations, from improving logistics connectivity to exploring joint ventures and building institutional mechanisms. Participants noted that existing memoranda between FPCCI and PSF would be expedited to institutionalise business-to-business cooperation and convert dialogue into tangible deals.
