IMF chief Lagarde expects visit to strengthen relations

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, arrived in the country last evening for a three-day visit.

Sunday, January 25, 2015
IMF chief Christine Lagarde chats with Finance and Economic Planning minister Claver Gatete on her arrival at Kigali International Airport yesterday.(John Mbanda)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, arrived in the country last evening for a three-day visit.

In a statement issued ahead of her arrival, Lagarde said her trip provides a platform for her institution to reinforce the partnership with Rwanda.

Christine Lagarde (L) was received by Finance Minister Claver Gatete on arrival at Kigali international airport yesterday. 

"My visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the IMF partnership with Rwanda that has seen success in building a strong, stable, and inclusive economy in the world’s second fastest-growing region,” Lagarde said.

This is her first visit to Rwanda.

Christine Lagarde (R) chats with Finance Minister Claver Gatete on her arrival at Kigali International airport yesterday. (All photos by John Mbanda)

In an e-mail correspondence with The New Times, Lagarde said she was excited about her visit to Rwanda, which has managed to rebuild and improve the welfare of all Rwandans 20 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that "tore the social and economic fabric of the country.”

Lagarde’s main message to Rwandans is that "good policies pay off” and on top of encouraging government to consolidate some of the policies that have paid off in the past, she will suggest others to register more success.

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