Kigali — Experts from On The Frontier (OTF), an international consultancy firm, yesterday gave a progress report on the growth of coffee, tourism and mining sectors, to President Paul Kagame. Briefing Journalists shortly after meeting the President, at Village Urugwiro, OTF board chairman, Michael Fairbanks, said Rwanda's coffee has registered tremendous success on the world market. The firm was hired to help develop the three sectors.

Fairbanks said the country's coffee exports increased by 60 percent since 2003.

"Rwanda's coffee is the best out of 5,500 (success) stories in the world. The export in areas of coffee, tea, horticulture, hides leave alone increased earnings from tourism and mining," Fairbanks said. "Rwanda's coffee prices are very impressive." Coffee prices and both quality and quantity have shot up.

On tourism, Fairbanks said: "Tourism has continued to prosper and will grow for years to come. The OTF is pleased with the country's strategies."

Sources in tourism ministry say about 45 000 tourists visited Rwanda last year earning the country $10 million in foreign exchange, with $100 million targeted by 2010. Rwanda is home to a third of the world's 700 mountain gorillas.

The firm has built a detailed budget and investment plan to support the strategy, which was approved by the Rwandan cabinet and later adopted as the official national policy.

Rwanda's OTF group director Mr Eric Kacou said the country has managed to build transitional economies.

He said OTF group is committed to making a difference in Rwanda's economy by effecting meaningful changes to help improve the standard of living of the people.