. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/124 
17 December 2011 
 (11-6875) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   English 
 
  
RWANDA 
 
Statement by Mrs. Soline Nyirahabimana 
Ambassador, Permanent Representative 
 
  On behalf of the Government and the people of Rwanda, it is my pleasure to start by thanking 
you Chairman, the Director General, as well as the General Council Chair, for all the tireless efforts 
and leadership provided for the success of this impor tant Conference.  I also take this opportunity to 
express my gratitude to the Government of Swit zerland for facilitating the organization of this 
Conference.   I would like to welcome and congratulate ne w members of the WTO namely Vanuatu, Russia 
Federation, Samoa and Montenegro.  
 
 My delegation supports the statement made by Kenya on behalf of the African Group and 
Bangladesh on behalf of the LDC Group.    The MC 8 is being convened at a critical time when the DDA is deadlocked.  We continue to 
believe, however, that Doha is still worth to be c oncluded and the MTS (Multilateral Trading System) 
to be strengthened.    Rwanda supports a strong, open and fair rules-based multilateral trading system to promote 
growth and development.  We belie ve that a predictable, inclusive and transparent trading system can 
play an important role in providing incentives fo r investment in value-added production and exports; 
job creation and increased wages for our people.  Tr ade can therefore play a key role as engine for 
growth, inclusive development and poverty reduction.   For weak economies, particularly for LDCs such  as Rwanda, this can only be realized if we 
move away from reliance on traditional export of commodities towards industrial and services 
development, value addition and di versified economy, with technolog y, science and innovation at the 
heart of production.  This type of economic di versification as well as trade-related infrastructure 
development will also play a key role in boosting in tra-African trade and effective African integration 
that Rwanda strongly supports.  
 In this perspective, Rwanda has been impl ementing strong reforms across the board aiming at 
improving macro-economic environment, business fac ilitation, value addition, economic growth and 
inclusive development. As a top reformer, Rwanda is determined to pursue these efforts in order to 
achieve a middle-income status by 2020.   Mindful of the role that the WTO can play in this process, Rwanda recommends to all WTO 
Members: 
 WT/MIN(11)/ST/124 
Page 2  
 
  - To renew commitment to conclude the DDA with development at the heart of any 
outcome. 
- To agree that if any early harvest, it should be development-oriented and in particular 
in favour of LDCs which are the weak est Members of this organization.  
 
- To maintain the political momentum on the EIF (Enhanced Integrated Framework) 
and the Aid for Trade initiative. Indeed, tr ade-related infrastructure and productive 
capacity development will facilitate small economies to catch-up and fully integrate 
in the multilateral trading system. 
 
 Finally, my delegation is determined to enga ge constructively with all Members with a view 
to addressing the existing challenges.  I also call upon Members to facilitate the accession process 
particularly in favour of LDCs and African countries.   As I conclude my statement, allow me on the top of wishing all of us an innovative 
inspiration for the way forward, to equally wish y ou a peaceful festive season and a prosperous year 
2012.  
__________