SAN SALVADOR: Nayib Bukele, President of the Republic of El Salvador, received Ahmed Hatem Almenhali, UAE Ambassador to Mexico and non-resident Ambassador for the Republic of El Salvador, on the occasion of the end of his tenure as Ambassador to the Republic.
Almenhali conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, to President Bukele along with their wishes for further development and prosperity for the government and people of El Salvador.
For his part, President Bukele conveyed his greetings to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, and expressed his wishes for further development and growth for the government and people of the UAE.
President B
ukele commended the Ambassador’s efforts during his tenure to strengthen relations between the UAE and the Republic of El Salvador, and wished him success in his new duties.
For his part, Almenhali expressed his gratitude to all government entities in the Republic of El Salvador for contributing to the success of his mission which aimed to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Source: Emirates News Agency
ABU DHABI: As Rwanda-UAE bilateral trade has hit a new milestone that reflects the growth in overall relations, Rwanda wants to expand the ties to new and advanced sectors such as fourth industrial revolution, John Mirenge, Ambassador of Rwanda to the UAE, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
‘Rwanda and the UAE enjoy excellent bilateral relations and the UAE is Rwanda’s leading trade partner,’ he stressed in an interview at the Rwandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
According to the UAE Ministry of Economy, Rwanda-UAE bilateral trade crossed US$1.1 billion mark in 2023.
The envoy said exports from Rwanda to the UAE include a range of products, mainly horticulture. Currently, Rwanda exports approximately 60 tonnes of horticultural products to the UAE weekly, a volume expected to increase. Notable partnerships with major retailers in the UAE further contribute to the growth of horticultural exports to the UAE and other Gulf countries, he said.
Growing business ties
He noted that 26 Rwandan companies have registere
d and operate businesses in Dubai, particularly in the logistics sector. ‘We want those who have started their businesses to grow and others to come and take advantage of business opportunities across all emirates of the UAE.’
Talking about e-commerce, the top diplomat said over 100 Rwandan companies are actively trading on the Dubuy.com platform, featuring popular products such as coffee and tea, key commodities in the UAE and other GCC countries. Dubuy.com is DP World’s digital platform providing a B2B e-marketplace with end-to-end supply chain solutions.
In the logistics sector, DP World’s inland port in Kigali and regular RwandAir Kigali-Dubai flights provide flexible maritime and air transport means, the ambassador said. DP World is currently expanding its facilities in Kigali.
RwandAir, Rwanda’s flag carrier, has expanded its operations between both countries, introducing freighter services with dedicated cargo aircraft. Currently operating three flights a week between Sharjah and Kigali, they mainly
carry agricultural products from Kigali and return with the general cargo, mostly electronics, the diplomat said.
The trial reefer container shipment of Hass avocados by sea, initiated in December 2022, is set to continue, providing an alternative means to air freight, he explained.
Investments
Between 2000 and 2023, 14 UAE companies registered their businesses in Rwanda with investment commitments valued at over US$320 million in sectors such as logistics, hospitality, mineral processing, manufacturing, road safety, transportation and agriculture, the envoy noted.
Highlighting Rwanda’s investment-friendly landscape, Ambassador Mirenge encouraged more UAE companies to explore opportunities in his country.
Ambassador Mirenge pointed out the growing bilateral cooperation in other areas such as hospitality, health, education, information and communications technology (ICT), innovation, government experience exchange, and multilateral fora.
New Areas
In terms of new areas of cooperation, the top diplomat e
mphasised the importance of the fourth industrial revolution, including artificial intelligence and space technology.
Collaborative efforts between the UAE Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution, Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Space Agencies of both countries are crucial for cooperation in these sectors, he said.
Sustainable environment collaboration, focusing on urbanisation, renewable energy, and green growth, aligns with both nations’ ambitions, the envoy stressed.
Talking about the education sector, Ambassador Mirenge said scholarships offered by the UAE Government have enabled Rwandan students to study at universities in the UAE and find jobs in the UAE-based companies.
Sports is also a sector full of opportunities. Rwanda’s participation in the recently held Tour of Sharjah cycling race has opened a potential new avenue for collaboration in sports, he noted.
Source: Emirates News Agency