Presidential Advisory Council focuses on tourism, mining

President Kagame yesterday chaired the 10th Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) meeting at his private residence at Lake Muhazi.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012
President Kagame (C) with members of the PAC yesterday. The New Times / Village Urugwiro.

President Kagame yesterday chaired the 10th Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) meeting at his private residence at Lake Muhazi. Members reviewed the impact of PAC initiatives and their contribution to Rwanda’s growth over the last five years. They also discussed new strategies to boost Rwanda’s tourism and mining sectors.The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Pichette Kampeta, briefed the council on the state of the economy, using results from the first phase of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy, as well as the recently released Household Income and Living Conditions, and Demographic and Health Surveys, to illustrate Rwanda’s growth. Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO, John Gara, chose private investments as his topic, while the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Caroline Kayonga, and RDB’s Rica Rwigamba made presentations on mining and tourism respectively.Following yesterday’s discussions, PAC members will, on today tour tourism and mining sites in southern Rwanda, for a first-hand look at ongoing activities in the sectors, before regrouping for a final session.PAC was formed in September 2007 and meets twice a year, chaired by President Kagame, with the aim of identifying new and practical interventions that will drive forward Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation.