Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Tuesday launched an India-Rwanda innovation growth programme here to boost ties in areas of science, technology and innovation, and said Rwanda offers a "wonderful platform" to Indian partners to enhance their presence in other parts of Africa. Hamid Ansari was addressing a gathering of business leaders and experts from both the countries at a business forum hosted at the Convention Centre.
He also emphasised that India was now "ready to work" with partners in Rwanda and other partners of Africa in "transferring our experience" in building an innovation-driven economy in Africa. "India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Program is being launched to expand ties in science, Technology and Innovation. After this pilot project, the programme is proposed to be implemented in the East African community in seven countries and will then be scaled up to seven other economic zones across Africa," he said.
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," he said.