KIGALI - As way of enhancing trade and industry at the national and international level, the Commonwealth secretariat will provide technical and financial support to various players in the sector.

The pledge was made yesterday by Ransford Smith, the Commonwealth deputy Secretary General in charge of economic affairs, after meeting with Trade and Industry Minister, Francois Kanimba.

Kanimba outlined the areas that need support, among them; tourism, national export strategy, trade negotiations as well as the export diversification plan.

Speaking to the media shortly after the dialogue, Smith noted that the aim of his visit was to ascertain and identify Rwandan’s needs and formulate ways the assistance could be extended.

"We are quite pleased that the areas of need that the minister outlined are the same the secretariat has been providing to other African countries,” he said.

Smith added that they agreed to facilitate implementation of the export diversification plan and building of the national industry policy by expanding Rwanda’s industrialisation base.

"We shall be assisting in trade negotiations but more importantly, taking advantage of the agreements that are being negotiated and assisting in tourism master plan”.

The Commonwealth official revealed that the support will be available within three months.

"The Commonwealth Secretariat is known to be quick and flexible and being able to deliver any assistance agreed upon as quickly as possible. We know that Rwandan authorities are also very interested in moving rapidly; so as soon as the formalisation of these requests is done this week, within three months, we shall provide the assistance,” Smith said.

Kanimba welcomed the assistance saying that Rwanda seriously needed such technical and financial support to develop the economy.

"Government recently approved the national export strategy and it’s now time to implement this strategy and we are happy that the Commonwealth secretariat will assist us in this regard.”

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