Made-in-Rwanda initiative needs everyone's support

Editor, RE: “How to boost Made-in-Rwanda campaign” (The New Times, May 3). Every malady has a remedy, strong diseases need strong medication. The fact is that the whole campaign had been loosely understood by many Rwandans but this campaign will prove worthwhile once the results have started to be felt. This goes beyond identity since it is a way of self-reliance and a venture that will boost innovation. I am rather optimistic that it is another way for job-creation and a solution to brain drain, a scourge that for long has robbed Africa of its natural talent. The move should aim at creating manufacturing ventures whereby Rwandans will be working hard to produce high standard products that can compete on the world market; this will further help the local population as well in terms of reducing the import taxes on foreign products. The Made-in-Rwanda initiative should be welcomed with open hands and not be reduced to a ban on importation of secondhand clothes and leather products. Like this particular initiative, several good campaigns before had not been received with both hands, these included the environmental protection that delegitimized cutting of trees and banning of non-degradable plastics. These have gone up to make Rwanda not only green covered by also a top eco-tourism destination in the world contributing highly to Rwanda’s economy. I am relishing once again the opportunity to see how Rwanda rolls out yet another chapter of an achievable dream that will surely boost the economy. It’s always difficult to see growth and development happening but those who frequently visit the Land of a Thousand Hills will agree with me that the above assertion is a bygone case in Rwanda – here development is visible and is everywhere. Made-in-Rwanda is one campaign that every Rwandan should be advocating for out there. Rwandans in the Diaspora should also be involved and make sure that they consume what is made back home and market it among their host communities and wherever they go. Also, there are locally made products that have made a name on the international scene and won many accolades yet, in Rwanda, they are hardly known or even given the first priority by Rwandan consumers. These include beverages and other consumer goods. I believe Rwanda’s visionary leadership, spearheaded by President Paul Kagame, has once again noticed another opportunity that will significantly impact Rwanda’s economy, ultimately helping making the country a beacon of hope for Africa, despite the fact that Rwanda is landlocked and has minimal natural resources. Kassim Bizimungu

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Made-in-Rwanda initiative needs everyone's support