KIGALI - Germany has committed to increase its development support to Rwanda by almost 60 percent, as the two nations’ make strides, in their bi-lateral relations.

This was part of the resolutions made at the just concluded bi-lateral discussions between government officials and their German counterparts aimed at strengthening ties.

In total, Germany’s new commitment for 2009-2010 comes to nearly Euros 39 million.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eugène Munyakayanza who headed the Rwandan side, expressed gratitude on behalf of government and assured its representatives that the funds will be put to good use.

"I want to assure you that the government and the people of Rwanda will put to good use this assistance, with utmost care and wisdom and in a transparent manner,” Munyakayanza said.

Germany will also continue to support Rwanda in health sector reforms.

"I would like to thank the Rwandan delegation for their ownership and we would like to encourage you to continue pursuing this political direction you are undertaking, the direction underlined through the poverty reduction policy,” said Niels Breyer, the head of the high-level delegation that came from Germany.

According to a final joint communiqué, the three confirmed priority areas of bilateral cooperation were; governance, health and family planning and sustainable economic development.

Germany which first made commitments for Rwanda’s general budget support in 2005 has been supporting Rwanda in implementing its Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS).

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