Finance and economic planning minister Claver Gatete, has commended  the UK government for its committment to supporting Rwanda’s development strategy.

The minister was speaking at an event to honour the outgoing country Director of the UK Department for International Development (DfID), Mike Hammond, who has held the position for the last two years.

He noted that through the Department for International Development, the UK government had aligned their aid according to the country’s Economic development and poverty reduction strategies as well as provided advice that has been critical in planning.

The Government of Rwanda and the  UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 1999 that shaped UK’s official development assistance to Rwanda.

Hammond noted that in the last two years, the UK government has through DfID channelled funds to the tune of 180 million pounds to social protection and education sectors.

He said the Rwandan government having set development strategies such as the first and second Economic development and poverty reduction strategies had made it possible for development partners to support the country’s development. Rwanda has clearly outlined its plans and targets in ways such as Vision 2020 and is on track to achieve most of them, Hammond said.