Finance and Economic Planning Minister James Musoni said Frw 600 billion is needed for the implementation of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) in 2008 during the validation workshop held last Friday at the Prime Holdings.

This money is expected to be raised from the government budget and its development partners.

The workshop was attended by ministers, donors and different stakeholders.

"The budget targeted is Frw600 billion, but it will keep increasing,” he said.

Musoni revealed next year’s budget will be influenced by EDPRS programmes.

"We have created a steering committee of ministers who will keep following the implementation of the programmes.”

Musoni said Rwandans need to be free from poverty, adding that the strategy is more result-oriented and addresses the need for economic development as a strategy to reduce poverty.

According to the minister, one of the ways to control the levels of poverty in the country is through the implementation of EDPRS, which covers different macro and micro economic sectors.

"We are confident that those targets are achievable,” he said.
The minister assured participants the government is committed to implementing the EDPRS programme, saying it is one of the most important tools for development planning.

"This will give rise and prosperity as a conduit to achieving the goals of Vision 2020,” he said.

In order to accelerate shared growth, poverty reduction, reduce vulnerability, ensure sustainable development and improve living standards, every sector of the economy needs to be tackled.

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