Author: John Mbaraga

First Lady was speaking Saturday in Gakenke District of Northern Province where she joined the district residents in the celebration of International Day of the African Child and the World Day against Child Labour.

Worldwide, the Day was marked under the theme ‘Leave No Child Behind for Africa’s Development’

At the event, Mrs Kagame also visited the ECD centre in Nemba Sector.

She said that the celebration of International Day of the African Child and the World Day against Child Labour should go along with fighting against all challenges that can hamper growth of a child.

“The celebration of those days should go hand-in-hand with striving for the rights of children and fighting anything that could deter them from good growth, this would help them being open minded and positive mindsets,” she said.

Speaking to the programme partners, First Lady, thanked partners in ECD centres for the support in building havens of holistic growth to thousands of Rwandan children, and have given them a chance to prepare for the world.

“When planning for the districts and other institutions’ activities, it is necessary to include ECD programmes because it is a good investment which will facilitate Rwanda have stable economy based on her children skills,” she noted.

A Ministry of Labour study, shows that since 2016, a total of 8,383 children were weaned off child labour and taken back to school or reintegrated in their families.

According to MINAGRI, the disease caused by virus transmitted by mosquitoes first appeared in the province on May 18th.

The disease affects animals like cows, sheep, goats and humans. The ministry says that laboratory tests have revealed 80% of Rift Valley Fever virus in affected cattle.

In a statement, MINAGRI said that they have established groups of veterinaries to treat the affected cows. Currently, a total of 1638 have been treated and 1202 among them were cured.

In Ngoma District alone, the disease killed 66 cows and 168 aborted, in Kirehe 17 died while 159 aborted, in Kayonza nine died while 60 aborted and in Rwamagana seven died while 65 aborted.

According to MINAGRI, efforts to vaccinate cattle that have not been affected were intensified as well as treatment services were made available to cattle with the disease symptoms.

MINAGRI urges people not to consume uninspected meets and to report cases of the disease related symptoms to veterinaries.

Through his twitter account Kagame said that “Happy Eid al-Fitr to all Muslims in Rwanda, Africa and the world. May you and your families enjoy this day! EidMubarak!”

Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

In Rwanda the day was celebrated around the country and national event at Stade de Kigali in Nyamirambo where the Muslims were called upon to contribute in the battle against drug abuse among youth.

As part of Made in Rwanda and exports promotion, the government has waived taxes on importation of machinery, textile and leather products raw materials from 10-25% to zero tariff.

{{What they say}}

Monica Usaniwabo, the head of Unity Designers, a company that makes clothes, bags and other fashion handicrafts welcomed the budget saying that it incentivises manufacturers.

Usaniwabo’s company imports raw materials to make handicraft. She said waiving off taxes on raw materials will help them increase volume and quality for local and export markets.

“With the tax incentive, we shall produce high value products for both local and international markets,” she says.

For Olivier Benimana, Ben’s Jewellery and Clothing Ltd head, a jewellery, clothing and shoes making company, reduced cost of production will be a big boost to local production. “Importing raw materials and paying import duties would raise cost of the final product which forced price skyrocketing, so clients would prefer buying imported cheaper to the local one,” he said adding that the development comes to solve one of the challenges that have been haunting manufacturers.

Teddy Kaberuka, a local Economic Analyst welcomed the budget saying that it is in line with promoting locally manufactured products.

“As the economic cluster has taken 57% of the budget, it is clear that the government target is to advance economic development. This sector earns the country resources to run other projects,” he says.

{{Background}}

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana on Thursday read the 2018/2019 budget where the economic cluster covered 57% of the total budget and waived taxes on textile, leather imported raw materials.

Ndagijimana said that the government will develop industries and exportation where they have allocated there a total of Rwf253.5 billion.

He said that among priority activities in this sector include construction of industrial zones across the country, construction of four ports on the shores of Lake Kivu, continue with construction works of first phase of Bugesera International Airport, expansion of RwandAir activities, promotion of tourism with focus on hosting international conferences, raising coffee earnings to USD75 million per year, tea export earnings to USD82 million annually and flower exports by 34%.

Through the harmonization of custom revenues on imported commodities with neighboring countries, Ndagijimana said that the move will help the government to promote Made in Rwanda.

This was announced by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana while reading the 2018/2019 National Budget to both chambers of parliament.

Ndagijimana said that all raw materials to use in local industries will pay 0% import duties down from 10% and 25%.

Speaking in a press conference after reading the budget, Ndagijimana said that the government is providing incentives to business people.

“The production of textile is private business, what we do is to provide incentives like providing space in the Special Economic Zones and make the investment cheaper and profitable,” he said.

He said that after the government of Rwanda raised taxes on imported second hand clothes, the move has created domestic demand for Made in Rwanda clothes, and the government is negotiating with producers and new investors to increase production as the market is available.

“What we have to keep in mind is the volume and price because if they are expensive, people may not be able to buy. So, we are focusing on new affordable clothes as well as the volume,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rwanda’s 2018/2019 budget is Rwf2,443.5 billion, which is Rwf328.2 billion higher compared to Rwf2,115.3 billion in the 2017/18 budget.

Among priority areas, Ndagijimana said that they expect to construct sustainable economy through fast-trucking the development, promoting private sector, knowledge based economy and industrial development where the government has allocated a total of Rwf1389.5 billion, covering 57% of the whole budget.

Government targets to create a total of 216, 217 new jobs, a process which will take Rwf46.7 billion.

On social welfare, the government allocated a total of Rwf668.2 billion, 27% of the budget. The government has allocated a total of Rwf401.5 billion, 16% of the to good governance sector.