The Belgian government has fulfilled its budget support commitment by giving 16 million euros (approx Frw12.8bn) to the health and education sectors. The two sector-financing agreements were signed yesterday by Foreign Affairs minister Dr Charles Murigande and the Belgian Ambassador, François ROUX, at the Foreign affairs ministry offices. According to a statement from the Belgian Embassy, each of the sectors will receive 8 million euros. The health sector will be considered for the first phase. ‘The health sector budget support will be provided to the Government of Rwanda to fund budgeted expenditures focusing on access to quality health services for the poor and the vulnerable,’ it indicated. It added: ‘This is the very first budget support in the health sector for Rwanda.’ The education sector is an extension of the ongoing budget support covering 2008 – 2010. It complements the 2007 contribution of 3.5million euros. In October this year, several development partners promised to increase sector budget support through the Sector Wide approach (SWAp). Through the alignment, government and partners can meet to discuss sector planning and prioritisation to promote effectiveness of aid. Ends
