Rwanda sets pace on free movement of people

In previous years, professionals from within the East African Community (EAC), working in Rwanda, had been obliged to pay exorbitant permit fees, which only a few could afford. As a result, the country lost a considerable number of people with vital skills who would have preferred to trade their skills here, but were discouraged by the high fees. However on Thursday, the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration announced new visa and work permit regulations recently approved by Cabinet. These exonerate citizens from within the EAC, from paying the fees while those paid by other foreign nationals were considerably slashed. The idea was mooted by President Paul Kagame, during the last Commonwealth Business Summit in Uganda, 2007.