Editor, RE: “Transformational, interventionist states: lessons from China” (The New Times, May 4). I totally agree with the statement that: “A big state is needed to co-ordinate economic development, to provide the right kind of regulations, and to facilitate access to capital”. Would you agree with me that in Rwanda, and in Africa in general, among such core institutions actually missing for our industrialisation are those related to indigenous and endogenous product and service research and development? As long as these are not in place, simply the rising Rwandan and African middle class you talk about will simply continue to expand their aspirations and needs, attracted to unfit imports from elsewhere. And then one can imagine the overwhelming consequences our people will suffer...eternally? Francois-Xavier Nziyonsenga
