Radical reforms which have made it easier for businesses to get credit, pay tax and deal with construction have boosted Rwanda’s ratings again in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business Report’. In 2011’s index, Rwanda was the most improved country in Africa – the second most improved country overall. It came in 58th on the overall list, up from 70th last year
The CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, John Gara welcomed the report
“The 2011 Doing Busines results are a statement of our consistent efforts to empower our local and foreign entrepreneurs. We are determined to work alongside investors to make sure we do all we can to make Rwanda a great place to do business and unleash the country’s full potential”
The report, dubbed ‘Making it easy for Entrepreneurs’ also highlighted Rwanda’s improvements in making it easier to start a business, trade across borders, and enforce contracts which have helped it maintain its position above all its East African Community partner countries.
The 2011 results underline the importance of cooperation between government institutions and agencies in order to overcome the constraints facing Rwanda’s private sector.
Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Minister of Trade and Industry and Chair of the Doing Business Steering Committee, said:
“We were inspired by the 2010 results to even do better especially on indicators that were more challenging. The Doing Business spirit that is inbuilt within our institutions enabled us to establish a one-stop centre for construction permits in order to promptly address the main challenge to our construction industry. But there is still more to do; over the next 12 months, we will continue our programme of reforms so that business and trade contribute more to Rwanda’s economic growth and social transformation”
The Rwanda Development Board will continue to foster existing partnerships , and build new ones among different doing business stakeholders and agencies in order to do make sure that business is at the heart of our development.