The Eastern Province Governor, Fred Mufulukye, has called on increased partnership with the private sector to drive development in the region.

Mufulukye was speaking at the election of leaders of the Private Sector Federation in Eastern Province yesterday.

"What I ask of you is teamwork, because one person’s work cannot take us where we wish to be,” he said.

Sharing the province’s development plans with the region’s business community, he urged increased public-private sector’s partnership going forward.

"When you see how the government is trying to make progress, what are you planning on doing as the private sector?” he posed.

Fabrice Habanabakize, the former chairman of the federation in the province, called on his colleagues to be more involved in the region’s development.

"This province was formerly known just as a region for cultivating crops, now this is the province to do business in,” he said, encouraging new leaders to be collaborative.

Jean Bosco Ndungutse was elected the provincial federation chair for the next three years after he garnered 76 votes out of 114 votes.

Ndungutse, 40, has been doing business for 15 years, and was previously the chairman of the federation in Nyagatare District.

Among the major tasks during his term, Ndungutse said, include completing a census of business people in the province, which has been conducted in two districts only.

Ndungutse also noted that he is keen on encouraging business people to join cooperatives to enable closer collaboration with government.

"Our members also need to save more to go and change people’s lives in their towns and trading centres,” added Ndungutse.

Jean de Dieu Nkurunziza, 37, a Rwamagana based businessman, is the region’s new first vice chairman, while Joan Assimwe will serve as the second vice to the chairperson.

PSF elections at the national level are scheduled to take place on February 21.

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