From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Mon Oct 12 2009 - 07:41:30 EDT
Rwanda's Kagame praises China, criticises West-paper
Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:27am GMT
BERLIN, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Chinese investment in Africa has fuelled the
development of the private sector, whereas western countries have mostly
exploited African resources, Rwandan President Paul Kagame was quoted as
saying on Monday.
Kagame, who has won praise for running a disciplined administration and
attracting foreign investors, told the German daily Handelsblatt that
European and American relations with Africa had not helped the continent
develop.
"Our resources have been exploited and served others. Western companies have
soiled Africa to a large extent and still do," he told the paper.
He said toxic waste had been dumped in the Ivory Coast and Somalia was being
used by European companies as a garbage dump.
Kagame said Africa had long been neglected in international relations, but
opportunities were developing for partnerships on an equal footing with
players such as China, India and Brazil.
"The Chinese bring Africa what it needs: investment and money for
governments and companies. China invests in infrastructure, builds streets,"
he said.
Rwanda, ripped apart by genocide in 1994, is reviving its economy with
spending on tourism, agriculture and mining. But after several years of
strong growth, the country has been hit hard by the collapse in global trade
and commodity prices.
Kagame said Africa needed to start processing commodities at home, rather
than just delivering them to other countries.
"We are looking for real partnerships with foreigners who have the know-how
and capital, but share this with local companies," he said.
The Rwandan president, a former rebel leader whose fighters routed
extremists responsible for the genocide, also touched on the issue of
foreign development aid, which risked crippling development of the private
sector.
"There is a fundamental problem with development aid. It leads to
dependence, the desire of the giving countries to control the receiving
countries," he said.
"I wish the western world would invest in Africa rather than give
development aid. There is a need for aid -- but it should be used to allow
trade and to build up companies." (Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Editing by
Giles Elgood)
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