Bank of Kigali CEO shares business, financial management tips with Miss Rwanda contestants
Ahead of the Miss Rwanda 2021 final, the Chief Executive Office of Bank of Kigali (BK), Dr. Diane Karusis, on Friday had a pep talk with Miss Rwanda 2021 contestant, during which she shared tips with them on business and finances.
During the session which took place at the bank’s headquarters in the City of Kigali, Karusisi briefed the contestants about the bank’s operations and why they chose to support Miss Rwanda this year.
The CEO told the girls that when they were approached by Miss Rwanda organisers and discussed with them the idea of awarding the ‘the most innovative project’, they felt the idea matched with their objective of empowering Rwandans to transform their lives, including girls and women.
“As a back, we want to be a partner of Rwandans in their development. We want to see a developed Rwanda, with infrastructure, with new projects, new products and services that add value to our country,”
“When Miss Rwanda approached us and discussed with us the idea of working together, we thought it was another opportunity to transform lives, that is why we asked you to come up with the best ideas that add value to our society,” she said.
Dr. Karusisi said that as a bank, they finance ideas, thereby creating that value the society needs, whether it is an industry, an innovative idea that solves a problem in society and other business projects which they are always ready to support.
“People create projects to change lives, we create value by supporting these projects that will transform lives. All we want you to do is be innovative, come up with something unique,”
“Have purpose to create new jobs, new services and new products. You are beautiful but you also have plans ideas. I have two daughters who love Miss Rwanda but what we really want to see is Miss Rwanda which adds value to the country,” she said.
Karusisi explained to the contestants what the bank considers to finance business ideas and the timeframe given for one to pay back, depending on the type of project.
Today: Our CEO @dkarusisi had an interactive session with Miss Rwanda 2021 contestants. “This year, we not only sponsored the most innovative project, but we will also support the winner to execute her project “– Dr.Diane Karusisi pic.twitter.com/k0UUBarHVP
— Bank of Kigali (BK) (@BankofKigali) March 19, 2021
Asked to what extent they can trust and finance an investment project, Karusisi explained that said that an investor has to raise some capital, before the bank could commit.
“Because of the risk involved, we finance projects when someone shows commitment raises some capital, the we assess the viability of the business and we commit funds too,” she said, adding that Bank of Kigali can finance projects as big as Rwf10 billion.
In an interview after the session, Dr. Karusisi said that they partnered with Miss Rwanda because the organisers have been innovative enough to introduce new ideas which are worth supporting.
“We have looked at all the 20 projects, they all look bankable and the girls really put in an effort. We will be supporting the most innovative project not just financially but we will also pay a consultant to support the winner,”
“We believe Miss Rwanda is beyond just beauty. We believe it is a platform that many girls want to be part of. We want to see Miss Rwanda impacting the lives of girls, which is why we came on board,” Karusisi said.
She added that even those who will not win, they have an opportunity to contact other banks or funders to support their projects, as long as they are bankable.
Miss Rwanda 2021 finale set for Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Intare Arena.
The final will be broadcast on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency’s KC2 channel from 7pm for people in Rwanda, while those outside Rwanda can join by clicking on this link: www.missrwanda.rw/grand-finale
