Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have put mechanisms for strengthening ties between the two countries, after signing agreements in four key areas. In particular, they agreed to boost bilateral relations in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Immigration, Education and medical products regulation.
The talks between the two Heads of State also based on shared key infrastructures and investments such as Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the ports. Briefing journalists after the ministers of the two countries signed the agreements in Kigali, Rwanda where she has been invited for two-day State visit; President Samia said their talks dwelt on several bilateral relations matters.
Their discussion mainly centered on boosting the countries' economies and other political issues in East African Community (EAC) and beyond. "We have agreed to strengthen the cooperation in trade and investment. There are still many opportunities to grow in business and trade within our countries," affirmed President Samia. On ICT, Tanzania has also extended its fibre connectivity to Rwanda, which effectively uses the infrastructure for ICT development. On his part, President Kagame said Rwanda was honored to have President Samia and her delegation in the country.
Mr. Kagame said Rwanda and Tanzania share more than just a border, noting that their strong historical ties and common aspiration to deliver prosperity to their people has always been a centre of their cooperation. "With signing of these agreements, we are committed to ensuring tangible results and renewed momentum to our bilateral relations. This also gives new impetus to key infrastructures and investments projects of neutral benefits, particularly the SGR line and improved port logistics," President Kagame stated.
He said Rwanda wanted to work closely with brothers and sisters in Tanzania with context of EAC and beyond, to speed up development of the countries' and region to recover from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. "The challenges that our regions face can only be addressed through unwavering solidity. I look forward to continuing working together towards stronger and more prosperous EAC," he said.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu (second left) and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame (right) at Inyange Industries, a local agro-processing plant in Kigali, on August 3, 2021. PHOTO | COURTESY | URUGWIRO
The agreements signed included the one for strengthening cooperation in the field of the ICT. This agreement was signed by Tanzania Minister for ICT, Dr. Faustine Ndugulile and Rwandan Minister for ICT, Paula Musoni. Also, Tanzanian Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister, Amb. Liberata Mulamula and her Rwandan counterpart Dr. Vincent Biruta signed agreements for strengthening cooperation on matters of Immigration, Education and medical products regulation. Rwanda and Tanzania enjoy close bilateral relations in multiple aspects, especially trade.
On several occasion in 2018 and 2019 President Kagame jetted in Tanzania on different missions. President Samia's visit follows recent high-level meetings between top officials from the two countries. The most recent meeting occurred on July 16th this year, when Rwanda's Minister of ICT, Paula Ingabire, met her Tanzanian counterpart, Faustine Ndugulile, to review submarine cable infrastructures in Tanzania that support communication services to Rwanda. On July 9th this year, Rwanda's Ambassador to Tanzania, Major General Charles Karamba, met Tanzania's Minister of Defence Elias Kwandikwa in Dodoma, where they discussed mutual interest topics.
According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on International Trade, in 2019 Rwanda imports from Tanzania were 224,54 million US Dollars (about 520,7bn/-), while Rwanda exports to Tanzania were 5.1 million US Dollars (about 11,8bn/-). Rwanda and Tanzania enjoy cordial relations and cooperation in the areas of Politics, Infrastructure, Economy and Security.