Kigali, 6 May 2015
President Kagame today received a delegation of over twenty Starbucks representatives from stations around the world, led by members of the Starbucks executive team including Craig Russell, Executive Vice President, Mike Sikes; Vice President, Business Development Europe, Middle East and Africa; Douglas McDonald, Vice President, Finance Middle East and Africa; Tiffany Broderson, Vice President Global Coffee; Tim Sharrer, Director Global Coffee Trading; James Roth, Director Government Affairs and Arthur Karuletwa; Director Global Coffee.
Speaking to the press after meeting with President Kagame, Craig Russell said:
“We will continue to work in Rwanda, in terms of farmers’ support in order to maintain the quality and increase volume of production. Rwandan coffee has always met our expectations and everyone seems to love Rwandan coffee because it’s of exceptional quality.”
The Minister of Agriculture,Gerardine Mukeshimana said:
“The Starbucks delegation was here to meet the President and wanted to hear his views on the partnership of Rwanda and Starbucks. The President told them that the partnership does not only promote Rwandan coffee and the image of the country, but most of all, it has a big impact on the people”
The Starbucks team is visiting Rwanda as part of the Origin Experience Program, an initiative that takes team members of Starbucks to locations where quality coffee is grown and processed.