Budget Support to increase by 66%

KIGALI - Contributions in form of budget support from development partners will increase by 66.1 percent come the year 2013. The increment is based on the current projections of contributions ranging from Rwf185.1b for 2010/11, and the expected Rwf287.2b in 2011/12 and Rwf307.5 billion in 2013. Addressing the media on the outcome of the Joint Budget Support Review between the government and its development partners, the Minister of Finance, John Rwangombwa, said that the development partners hailed the improvement in the quality of policy dialogue and budget discussions. The meeting that attracted representatives from the African Development Bank, Belgium, European Commission, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the World Bank, discussed strategic priorities and budget allocations for 2010/11. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were also represented. “The government has consistently held Joint Budget Support Reviews because it improves confidence among our development partners,” Rwangombwa said. He noted that development partners were impressed by the progress made in main streaming cross-cutting issues, especially gender, climate change and HIV/Aids. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Secretary to the treasury, Kampeta Sayinzoga, said that, Rwanda’s performance in terms of improving service delivery to the citizens is considered a strong basis for a frank and open dialogue with development partners. “Their increasing trust in the government is illustrated by the growing share of aid going through our treasury,” she said in a statement. The Budget Support Harmonisation Group (BSHG), chaired by Sayinzoga, discussed the key challenges and improvements to the implementation of the Fiscal Decentralization. They observed the need for strengthening the link between local and central governments to improve capacity and public financial management policies. The head of DFID Rwanda, Elizabeth Carriere, acknowledged the gap in capacity, especially at the district level, but hailed the progress made so far. “As we are half-way through the EDPRS implementation period, it is worth reminding ourselves of the importance of these reviews for both government and development partners,” commented Carriere on behalf of development partners. Ends

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Budget Support to increase by 66%