National

President Paul Kagame, yesterday, said that the Rwandan people rejected the notion of a ‘poverty trap’ and worked closely with the government to plan and implement programmes that have resulted to a steady decline in poverty levels.

The first phase of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) was implemented by up to 90 percent, according to a household survey dubbed EICV3 and a Demographic Health Survey known as DHS4.

As the second phase of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy was launched yesterday, The New Times’ Sam Nkurunziza talked to a cross-section of Rwandans who gave a range of ideas on what they think should be prioritised over the next five years

The visiting chief of defence of the Belgian army, Gen. Charles-Henri Delcour, Tuesday told reporters that his second visit to the country was meant to assess progress on military ties together with his counterparts so that new areas of focus can be explored.

NYAGATARE -Residents of Nyagatare District have bemoaned ever-increasing meat prices, forcing many to remove meat from their menu. Scores of local residents who spoke to The New Times in Gatunda Sector lamented that it requires one to sell over 15 kilograms of beans to buy a kilo of beef.

East African Community (EAC) ministers in charge of housing are set to meet with private sector real estate players in Nairobi in March to discuss strategies of attracting international capital and expanding housing supply in the region.

Musanze - Environmentalists and researchers from various organisations in the country have called upon international bodies, the private sector, and government institutions to invest in forestry and marketing of forest bi-products.

The Chief Executive of ActionAid International, Joanna Kerr, has commended the government’s efforts in fighting poverty. She said this yesterday after holding a brief discussion with Local Government Minister, James Musoni, at his offices where the minister highlighted various programmes aimed at eliminating poverty.