KIGALI - The United Kingdom through the Department for International Development (DfID) yesterday signed a five-year support agreement with the government to facilitate business growth.

The support agreement worth ₤4.9m (approx Rwf 4.4bn) that expires in 2013 was signed yesterday between Finance Minister James Musoni and Elizabeth Carriere, the head of DfID in Rwanda, at the ministry headquarters in Kigali.

The financial assistance is meant to benefit Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) in its Regional East African Integration Programme (REAP), and to promote the use of true one-stop border posts between Rwanda and her EAC trading partners.

It is also expected to finance the review of the tax body’s computer systems in light of the changing trade patterns in East Africa and beyond and reviewing of the EA Customs Management Act (CMA).

The agreement will also assist in modernizing legislature and procedures, preparing of transparent revenue sharing mechanism among the EAC states, and prevent the smuggling of goods into the EAC across Lake Kivu- a major source of contraband goods that threatens Rwanda and other neighbouring countries.

In his remarks, Musoni thanked the UK government for its continued support.

He urged RRA to put the funds to good use to get visible results and improve service delivery and professionalism.

The 10-year UK support to RRA is a move to help promote fair and sustainable economic growth and to reduce poverty in the country.

"Like the government of Rwanda, we believe improving regional integration is vital for boosting trade in and out of Rwanda and will play a critical role in attracting investment in the country which will in turn lead to poverty reduction,” DFID’s Carriere said.

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