KARONGI - Western Province’s budget for the new fiscal year is set to increase by 15 percent, a top provincial official has said.

The new figure amounts to Rwf 368 million, up from Rwf 324 million the previous year.

The bulk of the budget will go towards salaries estimated at Rwf 190 million while Rwf 172 million is for development expenditure, according to Provincial Governor Celestin Kabahizi.

"There is need to strengthen efforts in attracting more foreign investments and other projects that improve social and economic development of the population,” Kabahizi said.

He revealed that increasing resources in productive sectors such as agriculture, internal and international trade, will be treated as a priority.

"All the districts which share a common border with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have already established trade information centres that will help in strengthening cross-border trade,” the governor added.

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