KIGALI - The Dutch Minister for International Cooperation, Ben Knapen, is expected in the country on Tuesday, to study Rwanda’s development progress.

Knapen plans to meet the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Finance and Economic Planning. 
Bilateral issues like development aid will be on the agenda of the Minister’s two-day visit.

"The minister intends to obtain more information about our country especially the level of development,” said Joseph Kabakeza, the Director General in charge of cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Dutch government recently decided to reduce its development assistance in 2011 as part of its austerity measures.

Sources say it also intends to halve the number of partner countries from the 33 to 16. The education and healthcare projects in developing countries are likely to suffer from the budget cuts.

Knapen, a former journalist, will also visit Dutch-funded projects in the Northern Province.

Some of the projects that the Dutch government has funded include the establishment of the Institute of Legal Practice and Development in Nyanza.

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