Editor,

Can someone tell me how safe the Rwandan economy is from the effects of the global financial crisis?

I’m worried that this crisis will eventually, in one way or another, affect African countries; most especially where bilateral relationships, which include trade and aid, are concerned.

I read that top Rwandan and American officials met in Kigali recently to address reports of declining trade between the two countries. Reports indicate that trade between the two countries has been falling since the beginning of the year.

The statistics from US Foreign Trade Statistics website indicate that US exports to Rwanda fell from $3 million in January to $0.9 million in February 2009.

In that same period, imports fell from $2.3 million to $1.7 million. So does that mean we are on our last legs? I am not a good economist, so any explanation would be helpful.

Thanks.

Mugiraneza, Gisenyi