WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — Over 70 residents drawn from across Rusizi district have been trained on various issues regarding activities of the East African Community (EAC).

The one-day sensitization workshop was organized by Rwandan Revenue Authority (RRA). It took place at Centre Pastoral conference hall in Kamembe sector on Thursday.

Faustin Gasigwa, the RRA official in charge of Tax Payer Education told participants that EAC would help all business operators in the five-member economic block to get enough market for their products. The member countries include Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi.

Gasigwa explained that the EAC would allow free movement of residents and facilitate free exchange of developmental ideas.

He asked participants to help the government in sensitizing and rallying residents behind EAC activities in the region in order to reap its enormous benefits.

"I urge you as opinion and responsible leaders who are here to begin sensitising citizens to engage in government policies that can link all Rwandans to EAC activities and programmes,” Gasigwa said.

Anet Birungi, the RRA Public Relations Officer (PRO) also asked the trainees to encourage all Rwandan business entrepreneurs especially those with industries to always target producing quality products in order to compete favorably with other products produced in other member countries.

Participants were also asked to always help the government in promoting democracy, peace, unity and reconciliation in their respective places of work and residence that would help Rwanda as a country, to fully engage and participate in the EAC activities and programmes without delay.

On the benefits, Birungi told participants that the common market, under the regional block would translate into abundant supply of cheap commodities since goods originating from member countries would be exempted from taxes. And there will be a harmonized tariff on the goods from member countries.

Participants included clerics, health workers, primary and secondary school teachers, opinion leaders, security organs and members of the civil society, among others. Similar workshops have been conducted in other parts of the country.  

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