Rwanda is looking to become a middle income country by 2020. This requires an economic growth rate of 11.5% per annum to reach per capita of $1240 by 2017 from $644 in 2012. This ambitious target will require Rwanda to set up strategies to scale up investments, exports, savings, private sector credit, manufacturing and skills development to reach the target.
Over 1000 participants will attend the 11th National Dialogue Council – Umushyikirano – tomorrow to discuss among other things the Rwanda’s progress and road to self-reliance. Discussions will focus on strategies and the role of government, private sector, civil society and Rwandans in meeting national targets.
“Rwanda’s approach to national development is inclusive, the government could not have managed to move the country this far if Rwandans were passive,” said Amb. Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.
With people’s participation, for example, Rwandans were able to build over 3,072 classrooms in a period of 6 months. These classrooms were built through community work – Umuganda – at a reduced cost of 4 million francs per class saving over 110 million in 6 months.
Initiatives like this will be discussed as well as thanking Rwandans and friends of Rwanda for their massive support of the Agaciro Development Fund, Rwanda’s sovereign wealth fund, that has resulted in over 20 billion francs since it launched in July 2012.
Other topics to be discussed during this year’s Umushyikirano include a discussion about increased productivity and private sector growth and “Ndi Umunyarwanda” (I am Rwandan) program.
The National Dialogue Council is provided for in Article 168 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 4th June 2003 as amended to date. It takes place every year and is chaired by His Excellency the President of the Republic.
