NYARUGENGE - An agreement on economic and technical cooperation between Rwanda and the Government of the People’s Republic of China was signed at the Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday afternoon.

As a result, China will provide a grant of Renminbi ¥ 60m (over US$8 million) to finance an agricultural technology demonstration center and polyclinic projects in the country. Renminbi, whose principal unit is the yuan, is the currency of the People’s Republic of China.

"We are happy with the cooperation between our two countries and we appreciate and hope this is all going to build on the already good relationship,” Rosemary Museminali, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said shortly after signing.

Sun Shuzhong, China’s Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary, also spoke well of the pact. He referred to the signing as an important component in the two countries’ bilateral collaboration.

Pointing to the forthcoming [October] senior officials meeting and ministerial meeting projected for next year, Shuzhong underscored the significance of a "new phase of development.”

"China will try its best to define new areas of cooperation … in the years to come. I hope all these efforts will help boost economic development in Rwanda and even further improve China-Rwanda relations,” he said.

According to Museminali, the pact was in the framework of the Africa-China cooperation.

Apart from potential market opportunities, China also largely benefits from Rwanda’s support in different areas in the international forum, Museminali said while fielding reporters’ questions.

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