Rwanda striving to exit fragility – IMF chief

The Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, has said that Rwanda is a positive example of global countries striving to come out of fragility and improve their economies.

“Rwanda is a positive example for countries striving to exit fragility. It offers valuable lessons from homegrown initiatives,” said IMF chief.

Lagarde was addressing Rwanda’s local and central government officials, members of the Private sector as well as civil society organisations at the Parliamentary building in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.

She is on a four-day working visit to the country, which started yesterday, on an invitation from President Paul Kagame.

She commended Rwanda’s policy of inclusive economy, saying “Rwanda is building an inclusive economy and having 64% of women in parliament is one example of this.”

“To achieve the goal of becoming a middle income country, Rwanda must continue this policy,” advised Lagarde.

On the country’s fastest growing economy that currently stands at an average of 8% for the last decade, Lagarde said: “Rwanda has grown at an average that is well above the regional average and on par with emerging Asia.”

She sees Rwanda as a dynamic economy with good governance standards today.

Finance Minister, Claver Gatete said, that “the economic stability you see in Rwanda is due in part to our partnership with the International Monetary Fund.”

Having visited the country for the first time, IMF chief said “It is a special privilege to be here. And being the first IMF MD to visit Rwanda is another special first one I’m very proud of…”