On 13 February 2025, High Commissioner Ambassador Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye met with Jean-Marc Merlin, Chairman of Apple Tree Group, a diversified conglomerate operating in several Southeast Asian countries, focusing on tourism, property development, and import/distribution industries. Their discussion, held in Singapore, revolved around fostering collaboration to promote the "Visit Rwanda" campaign and exploring investment opportunities within Rwanda’s growing real estate sector. The "Visit Rwanda" initiative aims to position Rwanda as a premier global tourist destination by showcasing its ri

On 13 February 2025, High Commissioner Ambassador Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye met with Jean-Marc Merlin, Chairman of Apple Tree Group, a diversified conglomerate operating in several Southeast Asian countries, focusing on tourism, property development, and import/distribution industries. Their discussion, held in Singapore, revolved around fostering collaboration to promote the "Visit Rwanda" campaign and exploring investment opportunities within Rwanda’s growing real estate sector. The "Visit Rwanda" initiative aims to position Rwanda as a premier global tourist destination by showcasing its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and unique wildlife. With Apple Tree Group’s extensive experience in the tourism industry across Southeast Asia, this partnership is expected to expand Rwanda’s reach into new markets. The discussions focused on leveraging Apple Tree Group’s established networks to attract tourists and investors to Rwanda. Rwanda's real estate sector has been experiencing significant growth, particularly in urban centres like Kigali. The government has implemented investor-friendly policies that facilitate land acquisition, ensure transparency in property ownership, and streamline development procedures. The discussions explored potential investment opportunities in hospitality infrastructure, residential housing projects, and commercial real estate, aligning with Rwanda’s vision to enhance its urban development and meet the rising demand for high-quality infrastructure. This meeting highlights Rwanda’s commitment to engaging international investors and fostering partnerships that drive economic development. High Commissioner Uwihanganye emphasized the mutual benefits of such collaborations, particularly in bringing foreign direct investment, transferring knowledge, and implementing international best practices in tourism and real estate. The engagement between Ambassador Uwihanganye and Jean-Marc Merlin represents a crucial step towards strengthening Rwanda’s appeal to global investors. As the discussions advance, both parties remain optimistic about the potential impact of this collaboration on Rwanda’s tourism sector and real estate landscape, contributing to the country’s broader economic growth strategy.

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