KIGALI - A former World Bank Special Representative to the United Nations and World Trade Organization, Richard Newfarmer, has said that Rwanda has many economic opportunities to offer, both in the region and internationally.

Newfarmer is in the country to attend a forum organized by International Growth Centre (IGC) which is expected to bring together international economic experts to discuss how the country can sustain its economic growth.

He noted the country possesses admirable economic policies, which he said other countries can emulate to advance their economies.

"Rwanda has very good leadership which they have used to positively change its economy…however, there is still room for improvement such as increasing the mass of exports to regional countries and overseas,” said Newfarmer during an interview.

He added that the country needs to acquire more economic knowledge from international experience if it’s to sustain its rapidly growing economic trend.

At the one-day conference slated for tomorrow at Kigali Serena, Prof Jaime de Melo from university of Geneva will discuss Rwanda’s trade policies and how it can strategically position itself to benefit from regional agreements.

At the same event, Prof Paul Collier from Oxford University will discuss the country’s growth trajectory and the changing role of government as increased investment and exports propel Rwandan towards middle-income status.

The forum will be opened by minister of finance and economic planning John Rwangombwa.

IGC is a joint venture of Oxford University and the London School of Economics which provides independent research-based policy analysis to selected low income countries at the request of governments.

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