Presidents Kagame and Clinton arrive for the launch of the nutrition initiative at
Serena Hotel
Presidents Paul Kagame and former US president, Bill Clinton on Monday announced a nutrition initiative that will result in the establishment of the first factory for fortified baby food in the region.
Clinton was in Rwanda with daughter Chelsea for a two days’ visit which is part of their African tour. At the launch of the initiative Clinton reaffirmed his belief in the success of the ongoing partnership with Rwanda.
“I have an enormous amount of confidence in this project because this is Rwanda and I have never seen you fail,” said Clinton
Emphasizing the importance of the initiative, Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame pointed to the need to end malnutrition everywhere.
“Malnutrition is unacceptable in Rwanda and anywhere else in the world. The factory that will be producing the fortified nutritious food will benefit many more people in our region and will lead to the elimination of hunger and malnutrition and improve livelihoods,” Kagame said
He added that addressing malnutrition should be seen as an integral part of achieving socio-economic development.
“Combating malnutrition effectively should be part and parcel of poverty reduction and economic development. This partnership comes at an opportune moment when we are launching our second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The plant to manufacture fortified baby foods will ensure that infants and mothers have access to healthy, nutritious food and will serve as an engine for economic development,” Kagame said.
Both President Kagame and Clinton concluded with a commitment to ensure the success of this initiative.
The first baby food factory will be built with world-class machinery, standards and quality that will produce the wholly nutritious food and ensure access for all Rwandan children.
The launch of the factory took place as part of Clinton and Chelsea Clinton’s two day working visit to Rwanda which included a visit to a coffee roasting facility built in partnership with Clinton Hunter Development Initiative and Ministry of Agriculture.
Clinton and Chelsea Clinton ended the day with a dinner hosted by President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame at their residence.