conducive atmosphere, peace and security, infrastructure to favourable legal framework that responds to the needs of the masses. 158. A community development strategy has been developed. Whereas much is done in terms of infrastructure (construction of classrooms, roads, water and electricity connections, agriculture and livestock development, the most remarkable achievement today is eradication of grass-thatched houses. This is in line with Government’s goal of moving people to planned settlements (Imidugudu) so that basic infrastructure is easily extended to those settlements and planned land use is facilitated. 159. The Government has established a Business Development Fund (BDF) in order to increase the numbers of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). BDF’s core focus is to assist the potentially viable SMEs with access to finance and to empower and make their businesses succeed. BDF’s five year transformation Plan (2015-2019) will result in a re-invigorated organization that is more responsive to SME needs and better positioned to address their challenges. To-date, BDF has invested and taken an equity stake in 21 SMEs worth Rwf 1.4 Billion. Over 800 SMEs have been supported with advisory services on finance and business development. 160. In private Sector and cooperatives development, the Government of Rwanda has encouraged people carrying similar businesses or activities to form cooperatives so as to double their efforts for increased production. Working in cooperatives makes it easier for Government to provide them with both technical and financial support as well as market for their production. From July 2010 to March 2016, 4,600 cooperatives were registered in the Country by Rwanda Cooperative Agency-RCA. There are so far a total of 479 registered Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCOS) in Rwanda. Sacco’s managers have been trained in Business Plan formulation and other 2,597 SACCOS’ leaders and employees from 23 Districts trained in SACCO Governance, Administration and Management. In February 2015 approximately 100 SACCO accountants were trained in reporting skills. 161. In ensuring an efficient stable and accessible financial market development, Access to finance remained the country’s key priority. Overall, banks’ network operated 136 branches and 254 sub-branches or counters. Page 57 of 105