Bangladesh–Rwanda relations explained

Bangladesh–Rwanda relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Rwanda. Both the countries are members of Non-Aligned Movement, Group of 77 and Commonwealth of Nations. Neither country has a resident ambassador.

History

In 1994, Bangladesh provided roughly 900 UN peacekeepers, including soldiers and medical personnel, to Rwanda to aid in keeping the peace during the Rwandan genocide,[1] one of more than 40 countries to do so.

In 2012, there was a delegation sent from Bangladesh to Rwanda. At that time, Rwanda sought investment from Bangladeshi businessmen.[2]

Rwanda is situated at a strategic location in Central Africa which would ensure easier access for Bangladeshi businesses to Central Africa.[3]

Bangladeshi ready-made garments, ceramics and pharmaceutical products have been identified as having huge demand in Rwanda.[4]

Bangladesh's experiences in the areas of mechanized agriculture, food processing, textile, garments, ceramics and shipbuilding industries have also been sought to replicate them in Rwanda.[5]

In 2015, Rwanda expressed hopes to strengthen ties to Bangladesh, including exchanging "trade and investment, textile and jute industry development and exchange of experience, training, and capacity development in international peacekeeping."[6] In response, Bangladesh promised to arrange a visit to Rwanda in the first quarter of 2015 as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen ties between the two nations.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Grünfeld. Frederik. Huijboom. Anke. The Failure to Prevent Genocide in Rwanda: The Role of Bystanders. limited. 2007. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. 58, 208, 214. 9789004157811 .
  2. News: Rwanda seeks more trade with Bangladesh . High commissioner of Rwanda to Bangladesh Williams Nkurunziza urged Bangladeshi businesses to expand trade and investment in the central African country. He said this while exchanging views with Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Murshed Murad Ibrahim and its members on the CCCI premises on Wednesday. . . May 17, 2012 . 2014-12-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140116113335/http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-05-17&nid=10566 . January 16, 2014 .
  3. News: CCCI Urged to Invest in Central Africa . High Commissioner of Rwanda for Bangladesh Williams Nkurunziza has urged Bangladeshi businesses to expand trade and investment in Central Africa. . . May 17, 2012 . 2015-01-11 .
  4. News: Rwandan envoy invites investment from Bangladesh . High Commissioner of Rwanda to Bangladesh Williams Nkurunziza urged Bangladeshi businessmen to expand trade and investment in Central Africa. . . May 17, 2012 . 2015-01-10 .
  5. News: Nkurunziza presents credentials in Bangladesh . Rwanda’s High Commissioner to India, Williams Nkurunziza, yesterday presented his credentials to the Bangladeshi President, Zillur Rahman. . . June 29, 2011 . 2015-01-10 . 2015-01-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110084430/http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2011-06-29/32540/ . dead .
  6. News: James Karuhanga . Rwanda: Amb. Rwamucyo Presents Credentials in Bangladesh . Amb. Ernest Rwamucyo, yesterday, presented his letters of credence to the President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid.. January 8, 2015. 2015-01-09. The New Times.
  7. James Karuhanga . Bangladeshi entrepreneurs keen to invest in Rwanda. The New Times. Bangladeshi investors have promised to visit Rwanda to explore possible investment opportunities in the country.. January 9, 2015.