Editor,

Reference is made to the article, "Exporters advised to pool cargo as high freight fees take toll” (The New Times, March 17).

This is surely a very interesting article; thanks for putting it together.

What happened to the local airline "Silverback Cargo Freighters”? With the help of the government or private investors they should modernise their fleet to have the ban lifted by the European Union so they can start to fly there. Europe accounts for almost 30% of Rwanda’s total exports, this block should not be neglected at all. However, cargo airlines are flying to Rwanda with full ‘bellies’ but go back empty (almost 7,000 metric tonnes for 514 movements in 2013 meaning a 13.61 tonnes at every takeoff or landing).

Interestingly for 2013, instead of $573 million of revenue, the statistical yearbook 2014 indicates (page 193) an encouraging $621.73 million, in that case, which would mean a decrease in value/volume with 2014.

Bibi

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As by the statistics tracking cargo volumes out of the country for the past ten years, there is progress but more work is needed to bring together clusters and develop a consistent chain for cargo producing, storage and transportation. Also potential areas to increase cargo volumes need to be considered.

Currently, the Government of Rwanda is looking at how these groups can be streamlined towards a consistent cause and lead to an annual increase in cargo volumes. Coupled with this, types of cargo need to be tailored to the infrastructure at airports and measures need to be put in place to provide a conducive atmosphere for exporters- like the 40 tonne cold room facility at the Kigali International Airport for perishable commodities.

At regional level, airspace liberalization is taking center stage under the Northern Corridor partner states. Once in place, air travel will be more affordable and a collective platform will be established to identify and tackle issues at hand thus sharpening the business potential and opportunities of the bloc.

Tonny Barigye