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World Bank President James Wolfensohn told reporters on Tuesday that reconciliation was a crucial prerequisite for economic and social development in Rwanda.
In a joint news conference with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Wolfensohn said there must be an economic component to the reconciliation process in Rwanda, where eight years ago Hutu militia groups killed an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
"To stop the anger and bitterness, you must build hope," he said, according to a statement release by the Rwandan government.
He said that Rwanda had stabilised itself and brought about economic recovery, but that greater growth and the expansion of markets - both internal and external - were essential. "These efforts are well led and demonstrate that you have the foundation upon which to build economic and social hope for the people of Rwanda, which we can assist you with," he said.
Rwanda is included in the World Bank/International Monetary Fund's Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, which is designed to reduce the country's debts by 71 percent.
Wolfensohn left Rwanda late on Monday for Tanzania where he will meet the finance ministers of nine African countries emerging from conflict.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
