Kigali, 16 September 2014
President Kagame has asked developing nations to believe in themselves in order to overcome obstacles that hinder them from competing in global trade. While speaking today at the 14th World Export Development Forum taking place in Kigali which was attended by the Ethiopia First Lady, Roman Tesfaye Abnehand other global leaders, President Kagame said the first piece of the necessary mindset is for ITC focus countries to believe in themselves.
“There is no country so isolated, disadvantaged that it can’t find a competitive edge in the global economy. To overcome geographical and other disadvantages, we must benchmark ourselves against the best in the world. After all, real wealth is in the head, not in the ground. Building a competitive, modern economy requires smart investments in human capital and productive knowledge .We should see competition as an opportunity rather than a problem. To overcome geographical and other disadvantages, we must benchmark ourselves against the best in the world.”
President Kagame said there are enough opportunities for everyone in the World, Africa and East Africa and that what is needed is to start a conversation about the attitudes required to find solutions and get things done.
The World Export Development Forum, the first of its kind to take place in Africa, is organized by the International trade Center and the Rwanda Development Board.