Editor,

RE: "Exports: Govt intensifies efforts to link traders to regional markets” (The New Times, January 27).

A 500 per cent trade deficit (and still widening) points to seriously poor performance of both public officials and the private sector. You need to have something to export—it is not merely saying that "we are trying to find the market appetite for our products...”

The Government of Rwanda and the private sector should first create a wide and strong export base and concurrently work on reducing transport costs. Diplomatic and political dialogue will complement.

This should be our priority and all performance contracts; from local government to the ministers and prime minister and anyone else who fall short should be dismissed.

We need to acknowledge that such a trade deficit is simply unsustainable; every day we hear reports of failing SMEs!

We have heard of this scapegoat called NTBs (National Tender Barriers) since 2007 and nine years later, we are still talking of NTBs.

Lack of tradable commodities is even a dangerous NTB. In my opinion, people should pause and asses the net economic and trade benefits of our being part of the East African Community, and then start seriously holding those in charge accountable.

Mukamurenzi