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National Cross-Border Trade Strategy 2012-2017.

Country/Territory
Rwanda
Document type
Date
2012
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Agricultural & rural development
Keyword
Agricultural commodities Agricultural development Business/industry/corporations Capacity building Financial agricultural measures Fiscal and market measures International trade Policy/planning Rural employment
Geographical area
Africa, AFRICA FAO, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Countries, Least Developed Countries
Abstract

This outlines the plan for the trade in legitimately produced goods and services between Rwanda and its neighbours. Cross-border trade (CBT) is important as neighbouring countries account for 20% of Rwanda’s total trade, official data indicates that informal exports to neighbouring countries are much higher than formal exports and these informal exports (mostly agricultural produce and livestock) have important implications for poverty reduction, majority of informal traders are women and neighbouring countries represent the most diverse export destinations for Rwandan goods. The vision of the Strategy is dynamic and diversified trade with neighbouring countries, creating jobs and income in both the formal and informal sectors and improving the trade balance. The strategy is closely aligned with the Trade Policy Mission of “growing sustainable and diversified products and services for trading locally, regionally, and internationally, with the aim of creating jobs, increasing incomes, and raising the living standards of Rwandans.” These are to be achieved through increasing merchandise exports in both the formal and informal sectors, facilitating higher volumes and values of cross-border exports, and making certain interventions to address both imports and exports. The main objective of the Cross-Border Trade Strategy is to promote cross-border exports of goods from Rwanda to neighbouring country markets and certain strategic interventions are outlined, including; the facilitation and coordination of CBT initiatives, addressing the cost of trade, creating stronger market links in the informal sector, improving access to finance for informal traders, creating a CBT business friendly environment, support small traders to scale up and formalize, creating stronger market links in the formal sector, among others. A detailed annex which outlines actions, timeframes, indicators and implementing institutions is set aside for the implementation of the plan. The implementation is chiefly handled by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and would occasionally liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture and other parastatals where the need arises.

Full text
English