President Paul Kagame on September 22 chaired the 13th meeting of the Presidential Advisory council in New York.
The state of Agriculture dominated Sunday’s discussions with a presentation of the East African Commodities Exchange which is a commodities market that will bring together multiple wholesale buyers and sellers where raw or primary products are traded on regulated exchanges. Click to watch video Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkCcKKDPFmI
The presidential advisors also exchanged on the state of Rwanda’s economy.
President Kagame chaired this second Presidential Advisory Council meeting of the year where PAC members discussed policy responses to the impact of US Debt Crisis, and international oil and food prices on the Rwandan Economy.
PAC members also looked into how Rwanda can harness social media to enhance development. Three new members were appointed to the council; renowned journalist Andrew Mwenda, senior bank executive Rod Reynolds and the Governor of Rwanda’s Central Bank, Claver Gatete.
Speaking at the opening, the head of state noted that agriculture is the backbone of Rwanda’s economy and requires new and creative innovations to deepen its development.
The minister of finance and economic planning Ambassador Claver Gatete who addressed media soon after the meeting said the council was briefed on the establishment of the East African Commodities exchange.
With this, Rwandan farmers can hope for better prices for their produce unlike in the past when they were cheated by middlemen connecting them to buyers.
The finance minister Ambassador Claver Gatete noted that the presidential advisory council also reviewed the state of Rwanda’s economy while focusing on priority areas such as infrastructure development which will propel economic growth from the current 8% to 11.5% as well as generating domestic revenues.
Ambassador Gatete, said that policy measures take have been successful in minimizing the effects of the debt crisis in the US and Europe, on the Rwandan economy.
Professor Michael Porter from Harvard University pointed out that current policies that ensure economic stability have long been established and Rwanda continues to be on the right track to sustainable development and strategic economic advantage.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Government Spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo said that the power of social media presented opportunities and challenges for development and that Rwandans were in a position to use social media tools to tell their own stories and remain in touch with their leaders.
During the meeting, Dale Dawson of Bridge to Rwanda announced the launch of Isoko institute, a think tank based in Kigali aimed at nurturing African entrepreneurship.
The Presidential Advisory Council is made up of Rwandan and international experts in all factors affecting human life.
source: RBA
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