By: Andrew Kareba
The Premier Bernard Makuza has told legislators that progress has been progress on the East African Common Market Protocol and the capital market performance and that sugar taxes will be relieved effective August 2011.
Honourable Makuza was August 2 presenting the government’s quarterly report on trade, commerce and progress in doing business in Rwanda to a joint session of Deputies and Senators.
The presentation highlighted the total financial inflows as progress made in terms of economic development of the country and the challenges faced.
Makuza said the internal investment made in the country elaborates 11.2 percent of registered companies while 88.8 of not recorded in Rwanda Revenue Authority but districts and other local government bodies tax them, he said.
He, however pointed out that the number of unemployed people in Rwanda is still big compared to the working age.”This is estimated by 119,197 companies which employ 262,982 and in these 66.5% are men while 33.5% women, Prime Minister elaborated.
The Premier stressed that government Institutions need direct purchase of 40 per cent of food from cooperatives, to facilitate the government in turn around plan of lending a hand in management progression of industries like (SORIMEX, SAVANAH DAIRY, CHILLINGTON, SOPAR, RUBIRIZI DAIRY, SOTIRU).
He explained that the government managed to avert price increase of some sensitive products such as Petrol, sugar and cement compared to the neighboring countries and that this was done due to the tax deduction of 100 frw on fuel for 2011/2012’s budget.
He told lawmakers that Kabuye factory that contributed 1/3 of sugar domestically consumed stopped working from May to June this year due to renovation which led to sugar scarcity.However, He sais that a t the end of August, the government will hold talks with East African countries (EAC) in order to remove border taxes of sugar purchased outside EAC and avert the supply dilemma.
In order to accomplish these goals, Makuza said, conducive business climate and legal framework should be set and help effective partnerships with EAC, COMESA and World Trade Organisation.
As the Leader of Government business, the premier is obliged under the constitution to present to parliament governments achievements and challenges every three years.
The last report he presented was on how different government’s programmes such as crop intensification and land consolidation programmes had impacted on improving the general agricultural output.
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