Rwanda HC Kwibuka Esdras calls on Minister for BOI Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh held a meeting with Harerimana Fatou, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Pakistan, who called on the Federal Minister along with Kwibuka Esdras, First Secretary at the Rwanda High Commission in Pakistan, to discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Rwanda.

Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh appreciated the close engagement of the Rwanda High Commission with the Government of Pakistan and the Board of Investment. He assured the Rwandan side that Pakistan attaches importance to strengthening economic relations with Rwanda and is committed to facilitating investors and businesses from both countries.

Harerimana Fatou thanked the Federal Minister for taking time from his busy schedule to meet with her and noted that she had already had the opportunity to visit the Minister on more than two occasions. She remarked that her repeated interactions with the Minister had made her feel at home in Pakistan.

The High Commissioner informed the Minister that the primary purpose of her visit was to extend a formal invitation to him to participate in the upcoming Rwanda–Pakistan Investment Forum, scheduled to be held from September 23–25, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda. She said that following discussions with the Federal Minister for Commerce, the event had been termed an Investment Forum in view of the large-scale opportunities and the objective of engaging the private sector of both countries.

She highlighted Rwanda’s interest in engaging Pakistani businesses, particularly in sectors including pharmaceuticals, textiles and other areas where Pakistan possesses strong industrial and commercial capabilities. The Forum will provide an opportunity for government representatives, investors and private-sector stakeholders from both countries to interact directly, explore investment opportunities and establish business partnerships.

The Federal Minister inquired about the growth in bilateral relations and business engagement since the High Commissioner assumed her diplomatic responsibilities in Pakistan. In response, the High Commissioner stated that Rwanda–Pakistan business relations had witnessed growth of more than 55 percent, reflecting significant potential for further expansion.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the relevant institutions of Pakistan and Rwanda. Director General BOI Abdul Samie observed that MoU could provide an institutional framework for future partnership and facilitate structured cooperation between the two sides. He noted that such an arrangement would also create opportunities for both countries to learn from each other, interact regularly, and better understand their respective investment ecosystems.

The meeting also considered the possibility of exploring Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) arrangements in the future as part of efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional foundation for bilateral investment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026