Gicumbi District traders have been urged to adopt attractive customer care services so as register development in the district.

The remarks were made by the Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, in a meeting that brought together the traders and the local leaders on Friday.

Binagwaho, who is also the caretaker of the district, said that in order for the district to improve on its revenues, traders have to play a role in attracting customers by offering high quality customer care services.

The call by the minister was made after it was disclosed that the district registered low revenues compared to other districts, yet it has resources to make it more investment friendly that would see it develop rapidly.

According to officials from Rwanda Revenue Authority, the Gicumbi and Rulindo Districts only registered Rwf 1.4 billion in the year 2011.

"Customer care is the key to the development of an area, so, always mind about giving friendly services to customers, and this will turn things around in terms of development,” said the minister.

Binagwaho also called upon the local leaders to efficiently use the advantage of the community radio to address the residents on the importance of paying taxes and other good government programmes.

The low revenues in the district were attributed to the rampant smuggling, especially in areas adjacent to the border posts of Uganda, an issue which the leaders were urged to tackle.

"It was discovered that the investments are increasing in the district yet traders who pay taxes are not more than 500,” disclosed Ernest Karasira, the Rwanda Revenue Official in charge of the Northern Province.

The event also saw the awarding of certificates to the best tax payers in the district.

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