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By Edwin Musoni
President Paul Kagame yesterday officially opened East African Granite Industries (EAGI), currently the largest in the region.
Filipe Cuhna (L) the Technical Manager – East African Granite
Industries shows President Kagame and First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame
around the Nyagatare based factory, yesterday. The New Times / Village
Urugwiro.
Built on 72 hectares in
Nyagatare district in the eastern province, the US$ 15 million factory
was constructed through a joint venture between Crystal Ventures and
Rwanda Social Security Board (NSSB).
Speaking after touring the
factory, Kagame requested the investors to exploit the Rwandan market as
they expand to supply the region.
He noted that the new factory
contributes to national development and creates employment. The factory
currently employs 230 directly and 1000 more indirectly. The President
added that with the new factory, Rwandans will not need to import
construction materials and requested the owners of the factory to come
up with attractive prices to lure local, regional and international
buyers.
Rwanda is rich with natural
resources like marble, and according to the President, with the new
factory, Rwandans will be able to tap most of the resources in the
country. He added that what makes EAGI special, is that it is an
investment by Rwandans and called on fellow citizens to support the
initiative.
In his advice to employees of
the factory, President Kagame said the factory to achieve its goals,
there was need to keep it running 24 hours a day, adding that clients
should not wait for the factory to supply them by instead ensure that
products are available all the time.
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