Tourism and education sectors are the prime areas that the government of Rwanda is looking forward to develop through cooperation with the government of Seychelles , this is according to the newly accredited high commissioner of Rwanda to the Island nation.
Major General Charles Karamba presented his credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan at State House in the capital city of Victoria.
Speaking today April 27, Charles Karamba said that the two countries enjoy an excellent good relations adding that Rwandan President Paul Kagame was amongst the first to congratulate Seychelles’ head of state when he assumed power six months ago.
The high commissioner who was speaking to the media said that among other key areas of co-operation Tourism was the top most Agenda between the two African Nations.
“Seychelles is highly developed in the tourism industry. Rwanda is doing a great job. There is a lot that we need to share to make sure that this sector of tourism development is to the highest level,” explained Karamba.
On the education sector Charles Karamba said that he as optimistic of the two nations closeness that they will exchange ideas and expertise especially where the French language is concerned.
“There is a lot we need to do in education. Because our two countries are members of the Commonwealth and also our two countries members of French-speaking countries, there is a lot we have in common,” Karamba said.
The two countries are also anticipated to talk cooperate on matters security since President Kagame’s country Rwanda has a police school.
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The high commissioner also met with Vice-President Ahmed Afif where the two discussed the current situation occasioned by the COVID -19 pandemic and its impact it has had on the economy.
“We discuss the current pandemic, and how we come out of this situation because the pandemic is here with us for a while, and our economies need to recover,” the high commissioner said.
Karamba is the fourth Rwandan high commissioner to be accredited to the Seychelles 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2006. He replaces Eugene Kayihura who was accredited in March 2017. Karamba will be based in Dar-Es Salaam, Tanzania.
The newly accredited diplomat is also expected to meet with the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
Most countries in Africa are aware of the tourism potential in the region with most of them having already drafted strategic plans to develop the sector as an economic opportunity and development catalyst.
For example, Gambia, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania are all putting significant efforts into advancing travel and tourism development. Botswana, Mauritius, Rwanda, and South Africa are working particularly hard to improve their business environment for tourism investment.
The tourism industry plays an increasingly important role in the global economy, contributing 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), 30 percent of service exports, and 235 million jobs. Indeed, each year, approximately 1 billion people travel internationally. By 2030, consumer spending on tourism, hospitality, and recreation in Africa is projected to reach about $261.77 billion, $137.87 billion more than in 2015.
Given these trends, the travel and tourism industry has significant potential in Africa, notably due to the continent’s richness in natural resources and its potential to further develop cultural heritage, e.g., music. Tourism sectors in Countries such as Mauritius and Seychelles contribute largely to their respective Economy , but alternatively tourism in Africa is still at an early stage of development and strongly connected with more general and longstanding development challenges, including infrastructure and security.
Tourism in Seychelles one of the areas that Rwanda seeks to cooperate with Seychelles is characterized by heavy private investment with ownership in the hands of foreigners and local elites. It dates back to Socialist leader Albert Rene who was brought to power by a coup in 1977, and attempted to control more of the profits from tourism, yet nationalizing local tourist-related industries, such as boating, fishing and crafts that seem to discourage local initiative.
