{"id":74594,"date":"2016-09-29T15:21:35","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T15:21:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=21f53108bab5ff7d49aa6ad92693d666"},"modified":"2016-09-29T15:21:35","modified_gmt":"2016-09-29T15:21:35","slug":"news-story-minister-wharton-hails-uks-strong-partnership-with-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=74594","title":{"rendered":"News story: Minister Wharton hails UK\u2019s strong partnership with Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"
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During his first visit to Rwanda, the minister saw how the UK is helping some of the poorest and most vulnerable people there to develop more sustainable livelihoods and lift themselves out of poverty. DFID\u2019s social protection programme has already helped boost opportunities for 390,000 people.<\/p>\n

He also visited the Rwanda Revenue Authority and its Electronic Cargo Tracking System that the UK supports through the Trade Mark East Africa programme, which is developing innovative digital technologies to reduce the cost of trade and increase domestic tax revenues. This builds on DFID\u2019s leading role in establishing and providing British expertise to the Rwanda Revenue Authority, helping increase tax income from \u00a360 million in its first year to \u00a31.09 billion this year.<\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s support is boosting economic growth and development, and building robust institutions to help Rwanda stand on its own two feet.<\/p>\n

James Wharton said:<\/p>\n

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Rwanda has made remarkable progress over the last 20 years. I am proud that the UK has been able to support Rwanda on this journey \u2013 contributing to its achievement of lifting over 1.5 million people out of poverty. It is great to see the strong partnership that we\u2019ve built.<\/p>\n

As an outward-looking, globally-engaged nation, the UK is committed to maintaining the broad range of support that it provides to Rwanda: helping to tackle poverty, boost economic development, drive investment and create jobs \u2013 which will increase global prosperity. This will help Rwanda stand on its own two feet.<\/p>\n

Investing in peace, development and security is essential for stability in the Great Lakes and is in both Rwanda\u2019s and the UK\u2019s long-term interests.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Minister Wharton met the government of Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Finance, Claver Gatete, and Minister of Education, Dr Papias Musafiri, to discuss areas of mutual interest for the UK and Rwanda, including tackling poverty, increasing access to quality education, boosting trade and investment and opening up civil society space. He also paid his respects at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.<\/p>\n

The UK is leading the way in encouraging the transformation of Rwanda\u2019s economy, creating better paid jobs for all \u2013 including for youth, women and the poorest \u2013 and supporting a vibrant private sector that will contribute to increased growth and exports. We are also helping support education and social protection programmes to create more opportunities and enable the poorest to lift themselves out of poverty.<\/p>\n

In Rwanda over the last 5 years, UK support has helped:<\/p>\n