Providing timely evidence to facilitate the socio-economic recovery from the covid-19 pandemic in Rwanda

Providing timely evidence to facilitate the socio-economic recovery from the covid-19 pandemic in Rwanda I Impact of COVID-19 on Rwandan Firms: Insight from Survey Data By IPAR – Rwanda BNR/IGC Conference 06 July 2022 BNR/IGC CONFERENCE OUTLINE INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT METHODOLOGY RESEARCH OBJECTIVES IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON BUSINESSES SUGGESTED INTERVENTIONS FORBUSINESS RECOVERY KEY FINDINGS RECO. [...] ◊ To provide information and policy advice that is highly responsive to the changing context and demands of the Rwandan Government. [...] Overall around 11% of businesses (SMEs) from the IPAR-Rwanda survey benefited from the Economic Recovery Fund in February 2022 compared to 10% benefited in 2021. [...] Other 1 Awareness and opinions of Business owners on government intervention for business recovery Business owners awareness Economic support growth sectors should change due to COVID-19 80 Think the ERF should be continued once the Covid-19 economic crisis is 78 over, even if this meant higher taxes to pay for it Awareness of the African Continental Free Trade Area 43 Awareness of opportunities f. [...] This might include a post-Covid-19 market assessment to explore the pattern of new business startups with the potential or ambition to access export markets RECOMMENDATIONS Policy recommendation 3 - Reduce input costs to support inclusive growth ◊High input costs to businesses were identified as a key challenge for businesses in Rwanda in IPAR-Rwanda’s business survey (88% of businesses reported t.