The Senatorial Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance, last week visited Sovu industrial park in Huye town to assess the status of industrial development. Sovu is among the eight district industrial parks to be established across the country. The senators also visited Rusizi as part of their tour to assess the progress of district industrial parks’ development. As the government intensifies efforts to promote consumption of locally made products, under the Made-in-Rwanda campaign, establishment of robust industrial parks will go a long way in ensuring that this objective is achieved. Therefore, the establishment of industrial parks should be prioritized in order to meet the objectives of Made-in-Rwanda drive. The implementation of the proposed industrial parks across the country should be expedited because it will not only play a key role in providing employment, but will also supplement government plans to stave off the country’s trade deficit. With such developments, communities surrounding the industrial parks are also able to benefit from social welfare services such as water, power and good roads. Like Senator Jacqueline Muhongayire, the chairperson of the committee, noted, there is need to fast-track the implementation of industrial park master plans. Setting up the proposed industrial parks is a matter of urgency as they will also address youth unemployment, which is a big problem facing the country. All partners, including citizens and local industrialists, should work together to speed up the implementation of the proposed parks in order to attract regional and international investors in the parks. For Rwanda to achieve a middle income status, it will require a vibrant manufacturing sector to ensure value addition and to satisfy the local market. The concerned Ministry and stake holders should join hands to ensure that the industrial parks are up and running as soon as possible.
