RDB in race to fast tracking development

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has been in existence for over one and a half years during which it has focused on merging and creating a strategy that accelerates the growth of the private sector.

Since restructuring in April 2010, RDB has focused on implementing its post-restructuring objectives and core mandate. The following are those priorities:

Development of an overall RDB organizational and departmental strategy and metrics
Human resources policy harmonization and recruitment
Implementation of priority projects in each department.
Investment climate review

Some of these projects include:

2011 Doing business report. Reforms in 7/10 indicators such as credit reference bureau, construction permits, starting a business, trading across borders and paying taxes among others. There has been the conception and implementation of business reforms through the legal framework and regulatory environment among others, issues that are facilitating and further easing doing business in Rwanda especially for the private sector. This has continuously enabled the country to become a leading destination for investments. This was proved again recently when RWANDA emerged as the top country on the EAC, 6th overall in Africa and 80th globally according to the Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum, released early this September 2010;

Key investment projects being negotiated are: an eco lodge in Volcanoes National Park, Pharmaceutical project, Hilton project PPPs in different areas. Investment projects have kept the momentum. Most projects have been in the following setcors; education , construction, petroleum, property and real estate development.
In the tourism sector, Rwanda’s gains from tourism are expected to rise by 6.4 percent this year. An increase of 9 percent in tourism receipts was reported in the first semester. This sector is expected to generate about $187 million this year up from $175 million in 2009.
On 15th October 2010 a Canopy walk will be launched in Nyungwe National Park.
This canopy which is set 50 meters above ground will help visitors to spot stunning butterflies, beautiful birds, and blue monkeys. This walkway will be the first in East Africa and the 3rd of its kind on Africa. This is in line with our tourism diversification priorities.
In the ICT sector, so far 1700 Km of 2500 Km (68%) fiber optic has been laid out to facilitate cheap and high –speed internet connectivity. 50 public institutions are connected and using the fiber optic. While over 300 people in Kigali are testing the Kigali City Wireless Broadband (Wibro). Construction has currently reached all Rwandan borders and RDB is in negotiation with neighboring countries like Uganda and Tanzania to be linked to the submarine cable.
On a newer note, the Private Public Dialogue (PPD) and the PPU unit have been moved to RDB. The PPD mechanism will have balanced representation of the private sector and public sectors to ensure that the private sector has the opportunity to identify issues and be engaged throughout the key steps of a reform process. The PPD mechanism will focus both on sector specific issues, starting with horticulture in the first year, as well as cross-cutting business issues like land and tax administration.

RDB will remain focused on fast tracking development and working with stakeholders to
broaden the value for Rwanda’s development agenda.

ENDs

For further information, please contact Brigitte Kanyange on 0788535672 or email
us at pr@rdb.rw or visit our website at www.rdb.rw