Rwanda, Tanzania sign two cooperation agreements on agriculture, port services

KIGALI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda and Tanzania on Saturday signed two memoranda of understanding to facilitate cooperation in agriculture and the establishment of a Tanzania Ports Liaison Office in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

The agreements were signed by Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe and Tanzanian counterpart Mahmoud Thabit Kombo during a ministerial session of the 16th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) between the two countries in Kigali.

The ministers emphasized the importance of the JPC as a platform to advance dialogue and expand avenues for cooperation between Rwanda and Tanzania, noting that the planned liaison office in Kigali will streamline port-related services for Rwandan importers and exporters.

Nduhungirehe praised the cooperation between the two countries, highlighting Tanzania's contribution to Rwanda's economic growth through improved operations at the port of Dar es Salaam, which handles more than 70 percent of Rwanda's international trade.

He said he often refers to Rwanda as a "land-linked country" that works closely with partners like Tanzania through the Central Corridor and the port of Dar es Salaam. "We are grateful for the facilitation provided by Tanzania and its critical infrastructure," he said.

The meeting aims to set up a joint technical committee tasked with addressing trade and transport challenges faced by businesses in both countries. Enditem