German representative Andreas Gies and Rwandan Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Claver Gatete sign new package.
German has increased funding to Rwanda from € 69.5 million to €81 million or an estimated Rwf 66 billion in the next five years between 2018-2020.
This revealed on Thursday following discussions between Rwanda and German government officials held tri-annually to explore areas in need of new cooperation.
Previous similar discussions were held in November 2014 and assessed cooperation in the period between 2015-2017 where German agreed to provide € 69.5 million.
More funds will be allocated to government priority areas including promotion of vocational skills, good governance and decentralization, promoting private sector, creation of new jobs for the youth and supporting financial sector.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, AmbGateteClaver has told the media that German is already a friend of Rwanda providing support in various sectors.
“German is a good partner of Rwanda. We have discussed our precious existing partnership through which they provided Euro 69.5 million but they have agreed to increase the funds to Euro 81 million. I would like to highlight that it is a support not loan to be disbursed in the next five years,” he said.
“This demonstrates increasing cooperation and existing friendship with German. Atop this, we have been working with German government in what we call ‘Compact with Africa’ chaired by German as a country leading the association of 20 world’s richest countries,” he added.
The representative of German in discussions held yesterday, Andreas Gies said the cooperation with Rwanda is also concerned with strengthening private investors as it matches with recently launched program of ‘The Martial Plan with Africa’ meant to support private investors in Africa.
“Africa comes on forefront in German’s programs. We are going to hold a meeting with Africa representatives from 12th to 13th June 2017 in Berlin and we are glad to welcome Rwanda’s delegates,” he said.
German ambassador to Rwanda, Dr. Peter Woeste said it is the beginning of powerful bilateral discussions and delighted that President Paul Kagame will at the said time go to German to hold talks with other leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Rwanda, German relations have existed since 1963. German has institutions like GIZand KFW in Rwanda working with the government in various projects of poverty reduction, promoting health sector, governance and striving for sustainable development.
