Members of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy and Trade are on a countrywide tour to assess how privatisation policy is benefiting the private sector. In 1995, government embarked on a privatisation policy as a measure to help boost the economy. Since then, about 100 state-owned companies have been sold to both local and foreign investors. The committee chairperson, Connie Bwiza, said some of the privatised companies have since made significant progress, while others seem to be struggling. “We have been touring all parts of the country to see if people who invested in these companies are making profits and how exactly these companies are contributing to socio-economic development. So far, the general performance is impressive, there are companies that performed beyond expectations but there are also some that are on the verge of failing,” said Bwiza. She said before her committee tables its findings to Parliament, the MPs will meet with officials from Rwanda Development Board to review concerns raised by investors such as poor management, low production capacity and how best they can be facilitated. The committee is expected to finalise its tour next week.
