Why in news?
India and Rwanda have signed 3 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU).
What are the MoUs?
- A bilateral air services agreement was signed, thus enabling direct flights between the two countries. Rwandan Airways will begin direct flights between Kigali and Mumbai from April 2017.
- The other two MoUs are setting up of an entrepreneurial development centre in Rwanda and exemption of visa for entry of diplomatic and official passports.
- Rwandan government also cited its desire of wanting many Indian pharmaceutical companies in Rwanda.
- Indian government asked questions about President ‘Paul Kagame’s governance model’ that helped Rwanda become one of the cleanest and well-run states in Africa.
- India also offered scholarships and fellowships to Rwandan students to enable them to pursue undergraduate, masters, and research courses in India.
How the MoUs will be useful?
- With direct flights between the two countries, the people to people exchange will be more fruitful.
- With the air services agreement, the tourism sector will get a major boost.
- India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Program is being launched. It will expand ties in Science, Technology and Innovation.
- Under the Programme, 20 demonstrated and validated Indian technologies and innovations are expected to be adopted over a period of two years.
- The joint ventures created with Rwandan partners can deliver many sustainable social enterprises that will stimulate economic development in Rwanda.
Source: The Hindu
