RWANDA GETS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT ON THE ROAD TO REGIONAL INTEGRATION

Kigali – August 18, 2011
Today the Government of Rwanda, represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of East African Community (MINEAC), Robert Ssali and Commissioner General of the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Ben Kagarama, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Frank Matsaert, the CEO of TradeMark Africa ( TMA ).
“TradeMark will be a key partner as we continue to implement the integration agenda at the national and regional level.” said Robert Ssali, Permanent Secretary Ministry of East African Community.
“Rwanda Revenue Authority looks forward to working with TradeMark on several initiatives which are aimed at reducing cost of doing business in Rwanda and ultimately increasing regional trade.” said Ben Kagarama, Commissioner General of RRA.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for financial aid between TMA , MINEAC and RRA, falls under the financing agreement signed in 18th February, 2011 between TMA and the Government of Rwanda (GoR), represented by Ministry of Finance and Planning (MINECOFIN). The financing agreement is an overarching agreement which sets out TMA’s programme of support to Rwanda and gives the possibility for using financial aid as an instrument for supporting the GoR.
TMA is providing $3,828,880 and $1,742,000 in Financial Aid to support the RRA and MINEAC respectively. The Financial Aid is designed to promote greater trade, capacity building and regional integration within Rwanda and East Africa. In addition to the Financial Aid provision, TMA will provide MINEAC with additional technical assistance.
The MoU outlines the agreement that DFID and SIDA have agreed to jointly offer financial, technical, capacity building and logistical support to Rwanda for the process of integration through TradeMark Africa (TMA).
In delivering this support TMA aims to assist Rwanda through:

A reduction in transport and related costs along the key corridors in East Africa.
Supporting EAC institutions to develop a comprehensive framework for regional integration.
Supporting partner states to substantially increase the implementation of a comprehensive framework for regional integration.
Engaging private sector and civil society to positively influence regional integration policies and practices for growth in trade.

In Rwanda, TMA is presently financed by two development partners, UK AID through DFID and the Swedish Government through SIDA with a present contribution of $19 million. As part the ‘aid effectiveness’ effort in Rwanda, TradeMark Africa plans to leverage further donor contributions to increase the TMA’s budget up to $65 million over the next five years.
TradeMark Africa (TMA) will support Rwanda’s integration into the EAC by reducing transport costs, speeding up border crossings, strengthening policy making and implementation of the EAC protocols, particularly the Common Market. As well, TMA will be facilitating trade and promoting market linkages within the region by working closely with governments, private sector and civil society.

Find out more about Trademark East Africa.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

To arrange for interviews please contact :
Mark Priestley
Country Director, Rwanda
Phone: +250 (0) 78 246 0084
Email: mark.priestley@trademarkea.com

Source: TradeMark Africa(TMA)

TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TradeMark Africa (TMA) works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.