Author: webrwanda

In the tenacious fight against Covid-19, China and Rwanda have extended helping hands to each other and engaged in extensive mutual support. China will never forget the sincere assistance from Rwanda during its most difficult period to defeat the virus.

President Paul Kagame and Secretary General Francois Ngarambe of Rwanda Patriotic Front sent letters of solidarity and support to the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China respectively.

Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement to express trust and support for China. Rwanda-China Alumni made special video, sending Chinese people their sympathy and best wishes.

Since Rwanda initiated its all-out fight against Covid-19 from middle March, China has been repaying goodwill to Rwanda with greater kindness.

Through different channels and at different levels, the Chinese government and people have continuously donated dozens of batches of medical supplies to the RBC, RPF, RDF, parliament, as well as the emergency food to low-income households.

The Chinese medical experts also share the epidemic control practices, diagnostics and therapeutics with their Rwandan counterparts. All these fully demonstrate the precious friendship between our two countries in the times of adversity.

At the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against Covid-19, the meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and on other multi-lateral occasions, both President Xi Jinping and President Kagame insist solidarity and cooperation as the only way to defeat the virus, rejecting stigmatization or name-calling associated with the virus, supporting WHO’s lead role in global response efforts, and keeping global industrial and supply chains secure and stable for economic recovery.

On October 8, China officially joined COVAX and solemnly pledged to make vaccines developed and deployed by China a global public good and ensure early access for developing countries. It has been welcomed and supported by the international community, especially African countries, as we all believe only through global efforts and commitments can we win the fight against the pandemic.

Thanks to our effective leadership, strong action and unwavering commitments in responding to Covid-19, China and Rwanda are among the few countries to keep the pandemic under control.

As the country firstly hit by Covid-19, China knows the significance of trustful institutions, universal health coverage, well-supported health workers and transparent public health communications in this fight. China highly commends Rwanda for the achievements in these aspects. Hand in hand, China and Rwanda have shown the world our determination to defeat Covid-19 with solidarity and cooperation, writing a new chapter in the bilateral relations.

Geographically far apart as China and Rwanda are, as developing countries, both countries pursue the goal of poverty eradication and boosting the economy. We share the aspiration to achieve national prosperity and a better life for our peoples.

At present, China and Rwanda are facing the daunting task to beat the virus while stabilizing the economy and protecting livelihoods.

Although the virus has brought about many restraints to the bilateral exchanges, the cooperation still keeps a strong momentum and shows huge resilience. Partners from both countries have kept in touch and coordination through various channels, thus ensured steady progress of major projects such as Nyabarongo II Hydro-power station, Masaka Hospital Renovation and Expansion, Smart Education, just to name a few.

Also, to facilitate travel for reopening the economy, Rwanda Air has resumed the direct flight between Kigali and Guangzhou. E-WTP is another successful story during the pandemic. Last May in an online promotion event organized by Alibaba Group and Rwandan Embassy in China, 3000 bags of Rwandan coffee beans were sold out just in seconds. Under the e-WTP program, Rwandan farmers can now earn 4 more US dollars per kilo at T-mall because of the direct sales channel to Chinese consumers.

On September 28th, 2020, the 8th session of Rwanda-China Joint Committee on Economic, Technical and Trade was successfully held virtually. This session is the first meeting held under a trade and economic mechanism between China and an African country since the Covid-19 outbreak began.

Thirteen Rwandan cabinet members attended the session, discussing with the Chinese counterparts on topics of bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure, investment and development assistance, especially in aligning Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and China’s Belt and Road initiative, accelerating the registration of Rwanda’s agriculture products exporters in China, and deepening cooperation in digital economy etc.

All these will contribute to the enhancement of bilateral ties in the Post- Covid-19 era.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Rwanda. Though a lot has been changed because of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, but not the friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and Rwanda.

The two sides will not only celebrate the anniversary in flexible and diverse ways, but also take this chance to open up new chapters of common development and prosperity, so as to make further contributions to a community with shared future for mankind.

The Author is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Rwanda

RAO Hongwei

The call was made during a press conference in Kigali, shortly after handing over of the baton between the Kenya Tourism Federation as outgoing host of the EATP secretariat and the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, the incoming host of the secretariat.

Fred Odek, the outgoing EATP Chairperson, noted that it is important to have harmonized protocols including health or safety measures now in place as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“If Rwanda is testing two times, for example, and Kenya more, why can’t we have this harmonized? The same goes for isolation. We are looking at ways to harmonize protocols; without having harsh conditions, work out a way to ease travel in East Africa, because easing travel is easing doing business.”

Odek stressed that there is a need to unlock the challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic to tourism to enable the industry to thrive. He said handing over the baton to the Rwanda Tourism Chamber also marked a very significant step in the revitalization of the EATP.

According to Susan Ongalo, the platform’s chief executive officer, they are looking more at “regional domestic tourism” where people travel using national IDs.

“As we hand over to the Rwanda Tourism Chamber we hope and are confident that EATP is growing farther,” she said.

The platform is working with key stakeholders in the industry to ensure recovery from the effects of Covid-19.

If there was ever a period for the region to cooperate for economic gains, wellbeing and safety of its people, now is without a doubt the right time, said David Butera, Programme Manager at TradeMark East Africa (TMEA).

“Cooperation will determine the course of regional tourism.”

Frank Mugisha, Director General of the Rwanda Chamber of Toursim, said he is ready to take the regional tourism platform to the next level.

It was noted that the regional tourism platform will develop special tour packages for the region. These will cover the airfare, attractions, and accommodation with attractive rates.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism in East Africa contributed an average of 8.1% to GDP and 17.2% to export earnings and generated 7.1% of employment. As regards employment, tourism employed about 1,278,000 direct and 1,981,000 indirect jobs in partner states.

Tourism in the region has taken a severe blow, with the sector expected to face 92 per cent decline in cash flows due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report by the East Africa Business Council.

Fred Odek, the outgoing EATP Chairperson, noted that it is important to have harmonized protocols

According to Susan Ongalo, the platform’s chief executive officer, they are looking more at “regional domestic tourism” where people travel using national IDs.

Nicole Kamanzi M.

Minisitiri w'ubutegetsi bw'igihugu Prof Shyaka Anastase yabwiye televiziyo y'u Rwanda ko guhindura ibi biciro bitewe n'uko 'leta itega amatwi abaturage bayo'.

Urugero rw'ibiciro ukuriye RURA avuga ko byahindutse:

Amafaranga yagabanyijwe RURA yayise 'ubwunganizi leta izatanga ku giciro cy'ingendo' mu gufasha abaturage kubera ingarukambi ku bukungu zatewe n'icyorezo cya coronavirus.

Mu kwezi kwa gatanu ibiciro by'ingendo byarazamuwe ku mpamvu y'uko imodoka zatwaraga 1/2 cy'abo zisanzwe zemerewe gutwara mu kwirinda Covid-19.

Ubwo imodoka zongeraga kwemererwa gutwara abagenzi zifitiye ubushobozi RURA yatangaje ibiciro bishya biboneka ko byagumye hejuru muri rusange.

Ibi byateye uburakari bwatumye ejo kuwa kabiri ibiro bya minisitiri w'intebe bitangaza ko 'hazafatwa umwanzuro vuba' kuri ibyo biciro bitishimiwe na rubanda.

RURA yatangaje ko igiciro gishya cy'ingendo umugenzi azishyuzwa 21Frw/Km mu ngendo zihuza intara na 22Frw/Km ku ngendo mu mugi wa Kigali.

Ibi biciro bishya kuri kilometero imwe bisa neza n'ibyashyizweho na RURA mu kwezi kwa kane mu 2018.

Umunsi ku wundi umurimo w’ivugabutumwa rinyuze mu ndirimbo ugenda waguka. Abitangiye uyu murimo baragenda biyongera haba mu bagore cyangwa mu bagabo.

Annette Murava ni umwe mu banyempano mu kuramya Imana, bari kuzamuka neza, uhereye ku buryo bw’imiririmbire ye ndetse n’uko yandika ibihangano bye, bigakora ku mitima benshi.

Uyu muhanzikazi yabwiye IGIHE ko kuririmba ari impano yavukanye ariko ikaza kugenda irerwa, ndetse irakura.

Yagize ati 'Umuziki wo kuririmba ku giti cyanjye nawutangiye mu 2015, ariko impano y’umuziki yanjemo kera nkiri umwana muto ariko numva mbikora bisanzwe. Mu 2010 natangiye kujya ndirimbo mu makorali, ntangira kujya njya muri studio n’abandi bantu mu 2014 mbona ko mfite impano kandi nanayikoresha neza. Nyuma y’umwaka ndabitangira.'

Uyu mukobwa ufite indirimbo enye kugeza ubu, avuga ko guhimba kwe kwibanda cyane ku kuvuga Imana no gukomera kwayo.

Ati 'Mu guhimba kwanjye hagenda habamo impinduka bitewe n’icyo Imana ishaka. Nkunda kuvuga kuri Yesu Kirisito cyane, nkavuga uburyo Imana ihambaye. Ariko indirimbo nyinshi mfite zibanda cyane na none ku gakiza. Icyo Imana inshyizemo ndagitanga.'

'Intego yanjye ni ukugira ngo ivugabutumwa ryanjye rigire umumaro. Twamamaze ubutumwa bw’Imana kandi bugere ku bantu bose. Ndifuza ko imitima y’abantu iruhuka, bityo igakira . Abantu benshi baruhiye mu byaha bakakira agakiza .'

Annette Murava ubusanzwe asengera muri Eglise Vivante i Kabuga. Aherutse gushyira hanze indirimbo yise 'Urahebuje’, yanditse mu 2016, ari mu masengesho.

Yavuze ko icyo gihe yumvise muri we hajemo amagambo y’uko akwiriye kwamamaza Yesu mu batamuzi.

Ati 'Indirimbo ikubiyemo ubutumwa bwo guha icyubahiro Uwiteka, kuvuga ko Imana iri hejuru ya byose, buri wese uyumva akumva ko uri hejuru ari Imana. Ikubiyemo gukomera kw’Imana.”

Annette Murava yakoze izindi ndirimbo zirimo 'Imboni’ n’izindi zikunda kwifashishwa mu bihe byo kuramya mu matorero atandukanye.

URAHEBUJE BY Annette Murava 2020

Source: Igihe.com

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Speaking about this achievement, MTN’s CEO, Mitwa Ng’ambi said, 'The GSMA Mobile Money Certification is a global industry initiative to bring safer, more transparent, and more resilient financial services to millions of Mobile Money users around the world. MTN Rwanda is extremely proud to be a certified provider as we continue to empower our customers to make more informed choices about their financial services.'

For the past 10 years, MTN has made significant technological and financial investments to facilitate the development of an inclusive digital economy through Mobile Money. This is in line with Rwanda’s 2020 Vision and the Smart Rwanda Master Plan to become a cashless economy.

'This year, we are celebrating 10 years of driving financial inclusion in Rwanda with Mobile Money. This is a huge milestone for both MTN and our customers as the certification will ensure a higher quality of service to our customers and give them the comfort that our services are of the highest quality,' said MTN’s Chief Business and Corporate Affairs Officer, Chantal Kagame.

In order to become certified, Mobile Money providers are assessed against numerous criteria, such as safeguarding customer funds against risk of loss, combating money laundering, terrorist financing and fraud, managing staff, agents, and third parties correctly, communicating fees and information transparently to customers, effectively addressing customer service requests and complaints and protecting customers’ personal data, amongst others.

'The GSMA’s Mobile Money Certification now reaches over 210 million customers through our certified providers,' said John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA. 'We intentionly set a very high benchmark for achieving certification, bringing added security and protection to customer funds. We congratulate MTN Rwanda for being the first in the country to take this step'.

IGIHE