Gov’t to establish EAC desks in regional missions

The government will establish information desks in its diplomatic missions in all the partner states of the East African Community (EAC) to provide vital information as well as helping Rwandans who would want to start up businesses in the countries.This was announced yesterday by the Minister of EAC, Monique Mukaruliza, during a news briefing about the upcoming EAC Week. According to the minister, the information desks will also help to ascertain the number of Rwandans who have invested in the regional.“Apparently we don’t know how many Rwandans have invested in (EAC) member countries and it’s important to know how they are treated and their performance as the integration process deepens,” she explained.Recent figures from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) show that over 60 regional companies have invested in the country over the last 10 years. Some of the companies that have set up shop in Rwanda include Kenya’s Nakumatt chain stores, Equity Bank, Nation Holdings, Mt Kenya University, Tourism Promotion Services, Kenya Commercial Bank, Serena Group of Hotels as well as Tanzania’s Oil Com and Bakheresa Grain Milling Ltd.The aim of the EAC Week is to highlight the country’s achievements, progress, and challenges from EAC integration as well as urging local governments to mainstream EAC integration into their development plans.The Week, organised under the theme: Mainstreaming EAC integration into National Development plans”, will have various activities including initiating debate clubs in secondary schools.Officials from the ministry will visit Rusumo border post to engage with local leaders and border stakeholders to assess implementation of customs Union and Common Market protocols, cross border trade as well as non-tariff barriers.After tomorrow’s community work (Umuganda) residents will hold meetings to discuss integration issues in their respective areas.