Building a common identity, prioritising economic issues, and having robust planning and implementation would lead to a turnaround in Pakistan’s economy.

This was stated by Former foreign secretary Aijaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Aaj News show Rubaroo on Saturday. He was speaking while answering a query related to boosting the economy via trade with Rwanda.

He shared the three reasons while speaking about his meeting with Rwanda President Paul Kagame.

Rwanda is part of Africa, a continent which is home to the world’s 1.5 billion population. According to estimates, more than $500 billion worth of goods are exported to Africa. Experts have praised the rise of the East African, which went through its worst period in when a planned campaign of mass murder occurred over the course of some 100 days in April–July 1994.

To discuss Pakistan’s access to African markets and trade with Rwanda, Rubaroo had Rwandan Ambassador James Kimonyo, Pakistan’s designated envoy to Rwanda Naeem Ullah, and former foreign secretary Aijaz Ahmed Chaudhry on the show.

When asked about the country’s attention towards the continent, Chaudhry said there have been efforts in the past as everyone recognises the potential of the continent having $3 trillion worth of economy and free trade agreement.

He went on to add that the trade with Rwanda did not increase due to the country’s economic situation. He opined that conventional export destinations were not enough for Pakistan. But he admitted that replacing big players like China, India, and the European Union would be difficult for the country.

Chaudhry cited that efforts made in the past by opening more embassies in Africa to increase trade, but it was not enough. “First we have to increase our economic capacity then trade.”

Shaukat Piracha, the show’s host, asked about the secret of development from Rwanda’s envoy Kimonyo.

“It has been quite a journey to recover from the tragedies that befell our country in 1994 where we lost one million lives and were assaulted like animals. It is difficult to comprehend how you can be able to stay and have a vibrant economy,” he said.

Though there were so many ingredients the key element was “leadership”, he said. “We were lucky that our President Paul Kagame, who fought through a lot of hurdles to stop genocide and eliminate discrimination and ethnic division, eliminating politics of identity and begin a journey of building a common identity.”

He added that the country has been able to steer the building of institutions that have been able to deliver as per the aspirations of Rwanda’s people. “Whether you have good politics and good leadership, you want to provide a living for people, you have to create opportunities to achieve their dream and pursue their aspirations to build their country, given you have built the strong foundation of peace and unity then you can be able to pursue rest. It is important to put in place a blueprint.”

While ambassador Naeem Ullah stressed the need for materialising Africa’s potential and added that awareness was increasing in Pakistan on diversifying products and markets.

Chaudhry lamented that the governments did not give much attention to Africa as leaders in the past did pay many visits to African countries. “When you will not give attention to Africa then even traders will not see it as a market,” he said and spoke about the credit lines on which Africa works.

He added that the country not have been able to change the goodwill between the two countries to economic relations.

Naeem shared that Pakistan has $6 billion worth of trade with Africa and $34 million worth of trade with Rwanda. “We can make a launching pad from Rwanda,” he said and added the African country allows companies to register within two days, ranked second in ease to do business, and was safest and cleanest.

Kimonyo was of the view that people-to-people exchange was a must to maintain good ties.

When asked about China’s assistance in exploring China’s market, Chauhdry replied in affirmative and gave a past example of when Pakistan sold JF-17 jets to Nigeria where China had a role.

“Pakistan should do economic priorities,” he said and added that economic security should be a top priority.

While Naeem shared that Pakistan has signed a defence agreement with Rwanda and that the African county has sought assistance in building an air force.

“We are making a display centre in Kigali in Pakistan High Commission which can be used by the delegation,” he said.