British Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening has expressed satisfaction with Rwanda’s journey to achieve inclusive economic growth.
Greening, who was yesterday addressing journalists after meeting President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro, arrived in the country on Wednesday to assess the impact of the UK’s development assistance to Rwanda.
“There are lots of positive changes in Rwanda. I think the relationship regarding international development in my department with the Rwandan government has been important. We have worked together in alleviating poverty,” said Greening.
“I have seen some big changes for the better and I hope it will continue like that for the coming months and years.”
Greening said helping to drive responsible private investments was important for many countries’ development and Rwanda was on track in this regard.
“Supporting growing economies is what I want to see my department doing to help pull in responsible investment that can really help kick-start economies to create jobs and prosperity for people,” she said.
“Our discussions with the President and the finance minister focused on how we can help support investment and opportunities to drive growth in Rwanda,” Greening added.
She said the meeting dwelt on bilateral relations between Rwanda and the UK and how the two countries can continue to cement the relations.
“We both agree that we have done important work and we want to see that continue. We obviously also have a clear basis on how we shall continue with the joint principles of working. I am very much hoping that we will be able to continue doing the same work in future,” Greening said.
The UK, through the Department for International Development (DfID), is one of Rwanda’s biggest bilateral development partners, providing resources in support of Rwanda’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The assistance totals up to £50 million (about Rwf51 billion) each year, and part of it is channeled through budget support.
Amb. Claver Gatete, the minister for finance and economic planning, said Greening is in Rwanda to tour various projects funded by Britain through the DfID.
“She discussed with the Head of State on how we can continue strengthening our relationship with the UK. Our relationship which has been there for so long continues to grow strong despite some of the challenges we encountered some time back,” he said.
Impressed
Amb. Gatete said Greening was impressed by the developments taking place in Rwanda and what the country has achieved in a short period of time.
“She said her country will do what it takes to ensure the relationship between our countries continues to grow strong.”
Amb. Gatete said the discussion also focused on how the private sector.
“The UK helped Rwanda in developing a system where the aid we get is channeled through budget support. 80 per cent of the aid from the UK has been channeled towards budget support and Britain is saying that the arrangement will continue,” the minister said.
Rwanda is one of the developing countries that have been cited for its aid effectiveness globally.
The UK in March released £16 million (Rwf16 billion) package of development support to Rwanda.
The money was part of the £21 million (about Rwf21 billion) of general budget support to Rwanda that the UK had suspended in November over allegations that Kigali supports Congolese M23 rebels.
The British bilateral programme has provided around £380 million (about Rwf382 billion) to Rwanda over the past 10 years.
The New Times
