Today June 5, The Minister of East African Community Hon. Monique Mukaruliza will visit Ruhuha market used by both Burundi and Rwandan citizens on cross border.
The minister’s 3 days visit is part of one week sensitization campaign on EAC Integration and Mainstreaming of EAC into government plans.
The district sensitization aims to raise awareness of district mayors and staff on benefits of EAC Integration and the role of MINEAC in coordination of EAC activities in Rwanda. The sensitization campaign will target 13 districts bordering EAC Partner States.
This exercise will also help the ministry to gain understanding of the needs of the districts on EAC integration and MINEAC will introduce the idea of mainstreaming Regional Integration into EDPRS II to mayors.
Regional and International Economic Integration is the sixth pillar of Vision 2020 and will be incorporated into EDPRS II as a cross-cutting aspect which is envisioned to promote economic transformation through diversification of export base among other things.
Mainstreaming EAC integration into government plans will improve coordination of EAC activities and implementation of Rwanda’s commitments which will increase benefits from EAC membership.
It is from this context that MINEAC will prepare district officials about EAC mainstreaming and associated benefits.
District sensitization campaign will enable MINEAC to provide districts with information on EAC and its prioritization in the next five year development plan and districts will inform MINEAC their needs, challenges and priorities.
The exercise runs from June 3 -9, 2012. The targeted districts include Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Kirehe, Ngoma,Bugesera, Nyanza, Gisagara, Nyaruguru, Rusizi, Musanze, Burera and Gicumbi.
In the spirit of promoting district led development, sensitization on EAC and mainstreaming will continue to other districts after this exercise.
The ministry of East African Community will also engage the community members in the targeted districts through community Radio stations to create awareness on EAC integration opportunities and receive feedback from the community as well respond to questions and concerns on local communities on EAC issues.
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