The  government is strengthening ties with the Republic of Congo, especially in the area of Information and Communication Technology, according to an agreement signed between the two countries over the weekend.Rwanda’s Ministry of Youth and ICT and the Congo-Brazzaville’s ministry of Posts and Telecommunications signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that provides a cooperation framework between both institutions.The deal provides for cooperation between the two governments on ICT development and serves as a basis for promoting trade relations through information exchange on ICT products, capacity building, and market and business opportunities.The agreement covers information technology, telecommunications, cyber security, ICT capacity building, private sector investment, incubation centres, innovation promotion and local content development, and regulation of the ICT sector, among othersSpeaking to The New Times on Monday, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the minister for Youth and ICT, said the agreement opens up ICT market opportunities between the two countries. "It’s an opportunity to share information and lessons regarding technology services and investments in both Rwanda and the Republic of Congo,” he added. In September, a delegation from the Rwanda ICT Chamber visited Congo-Brazzaville to study the country’s ICT market and business opportunities.About 22 Rwandan ICT companies presented their ICT products to over 50 firms in the Franco-phone state with the aim of creating strong partnerships in ICT. Alex Ntale, the director of ICT Chamber at the Private Sector Federation said: "Rwanda is quickly becoming a model country for the implementation of ICT projects.”Ntale said the ICT chamber has been working with several institutions in Congo-Brazzaville since 2012. "This is a great framework for our member companies to do business, especially now that RwandAir flies to Congo-Brazzaville thrice a week,” Ntale said.  Rwanda has made major strides in ICT development in the recent past.In June, South Korea’s largest telecom company, Korea Telecom, signed an agreement with Rwanda to roll out 4G Long Term Evolution broadband network across the country.The high speed wireless broadband technology builds on 5,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable that is laid out across the country.Early this year, the World Economic Forum (Wef) and European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD), 2013 report ranked  Rwanda among the top 10 countries in Africa that are in  a good position to benefit from new information and communication technologies.The survey that assessed the capacity of 144 developed and developing economies to leverage ICT for growth and well-being, highlighted  several aspects, including a country’s market and regulatory framework in advancing ICT for inclusive development.