The governments of Rwanda and Canada Friday signed a five-year agreement for the support of the implementation of the national decentralisation programme.

Finance Minister James Musoni signed on behalf of the Government while Canadian Ambassador to Rwanda, Ross Hynes, represented his government in a function held at the Finance Ministry’s offices in Nyarugenge, Kigali.

Musoni said the decentralisation programme is part of the five-year Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) which seeks to improve the living standards of Rwandans.

EDPRS is viewed as one of an important tool towards the achievement of the nation’s Vision 2020.

"The framework of this agreement is a major component in our bilateral cooperation," observed Hynes.

The envoy hopes decentralisation will enable local people to participate in initiating, implementing, and monitoring decisions and plans that concern them.

EDPRS puts particular emphases on the development of human capacity, job creation and increasing exports.

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