The local governments’ retreat that kicked off today on November 24, 2011 at Kigali Serena Hotel discussed business development and access to finance as key points.
The Minister of Local Government, James MUSONI, said,“We are going to have a face to face debate between various stakeholders focusing on; policy and legal framework, Implementation process and procedures and Finding collective solutions to existing barriers to economic development and burning questions from different stakeholders”.
More than 170 participants attended the first day of the ongoing retreat. They discussed about industrialization, small and medium enterprises, cross border trade, access to finance, infrastructure development and urbanization, and ICT development and application in local governments, among others.
Plenary sessions presentations were dominated by the Ministry of Commerce and Trade followed by the Central Bank (BNR), Ministry of Infrastructure and that of ICT.
Participants shared experiences and challenges on the ground, especially concerning cross border trade, tourism, SMEs and investments promotion and industrialization.
Though challenges persist, all participants conceded that a lot has been achieved in all sectors and reiterated their commitment towards working as one team serving one people and one nation.
The Minister of Commerce and Trade, Francois KANIMBA, said, “this retreat is very important because it enables all stakeholders engage in open debates reconciling policy issues with field challenges, which is very important for both leaders and managers at every level”.
“We expect that, this retreat will help us to identify gaps and share common understanding and commitment to deliver as one team, especially in local governments”, Minister Musoni asserted.
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