Regional lawmakers pin gov’ts over NTBs Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have described lack of political commitment among the EAC partner states as the only challenge that still hinders the implementation of the non-trade barriers protocol. Members deemed that since regional heads of state had signed documents to eliminate trade barriers, implementation had totally failed hence calling for an immediate resolution to break the deadlock for the benefit of the region. EAC Heads of State signed the Common Market Protocol on November 2009 to facilitate the free movement of goods, labour and capital to create a favourable atmosphere for regional trade. Since then, however, various Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) have persisted impeding trade.70 female police officers complete training A group of 77 police officers, 70 of them women, were early this week commissioned after completing a three-month Police basic training at Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana District. The eighth Police basic training pass-out ceremony, held at the force’s headquarters in Kacyiru, is the first to produce a larger number of women officers compared to men in any recruitment drive since the force was established about 12 years ago. This brings female police officers to about 20 percent of the over 10,000 strong police force. Conferring the officers to the rank of Police Constable, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana, the Internal Security Minister, underscored the importance of bridging the gap between male and female Police officers. Musoni blasts local leaders over poor performance The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, has blasted some local leaders in the Eastern Province for derailing development. The Minister said undedicated leaders have no space in the government. He said that leaders in most cells, sectors and districts don’t have the zeal to serve the people. . He castigated recruitment of local leaders based on nepotism and favouritism. Odette Uwamariya, the Provincial Governor, blamed the recent rise in domestic crimes in the province on lack of leadership. She said that while a few leaders work extremely hard, others are relaxed and only wait for pay day. The Minister was on a tour of the Province. Gov’t, WB sign $130m financing agreement The government and the World Bank early this week signed an agreement worth $130 million as part of the bank’s budget support which will be allocated to three sectors. The three projects to benefit from the grant include Statistics for Results Facility Project, the third Rural Sector Support Project and the Support to Social Protection project under Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP). The agreement is composed of $80 million credit agreement to help increase incomes and reduce poverty in rural areas of the country, a grant of $10 million for the project that aims at strengthening and building statistics in the country while the remaining $40 million grant will be allocated to social protection. Kagame praises Dr Oby as valued advocate for AfricaPresident Paul Kagame has praised the outgoing World Bank vice president, Dr. Obiageli "Oby” Ezekwesili, for her contribution to Africa during her tenure, when he delivered the keynote address at a tribute in her honour.   It was the highest accolade paid to Dr Ezekwesili by a visiting Head of State in an event where one of the finest of Africa was being bade farewell for a job well done at the World Bank. Kagame spoke of the pivotal role she had played in championing a strategy which in her words is built around "partnership with Africa, working with Africa, not for Africa.” Kagame also paid tribute to Dr Ezekwesili’s role as a strong advocate for Africa, emphasising she continuously encouraged both Africans and others to seize the moment and turn the continent’s immense potential into profits. RDB makes a pitch for US investorsThe Chief Executive of Rwanda Development Board, John Gara held a roundtable meeting with leaders of several major corporations in the United States, to whom he presented various investment opportunities in Rwanda.The event, which was hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce- African Initiative, attracted executives from major corporations in the U.S. including Oracle, Boeing, IMB, John Deere, Citi, Trimble Navigation and PAE Group. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce- African initiative engages the American business community on legislative policies that foster foreign direct investment in Africa, to facilitate trade between the United States and African countries, and introduce U.S. companies to the continent’s vast economic opportunities. During the discussions, Gara underlined his satisfaction on the recent signing of the bilateral investment treaty (BIT). In addition to the bilateral framework between the two countries, Gara emphasised Rwanda’s deep business reform agenda that has steered it to be among the top 45 easiest places to do business, the third easiest in Africa and the first in the East African Community. Drop in public expenditure to pave way for wage incrementThe government could reduce purchase of goods and services to make room for salary increment in the public sector in the next fiscal year, a statement outlining the outcome of a meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with government officials indicates.The statement, released Wednesday by the IMF, said the meeting brought  together the Ministry of Finance, the National Bank of Rwanda and representatives from the private sector and development partners.The IMF delegation, led by Catherine McAuliffe, has been in the country for the past two weeks to conduct discussions for the fourth review under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI).The IMF officials hailed Rwanda’s recent economic performance and its efforts to keep inflationary pressures at bay.