President Paul Kagame, yesterday, received credentials of new envoys from the Republic of Tanzania and Egypt.

Ali Idi Siwa will represent Tanzania, while Namira Nabil Mohammed presented her letters of credence as the new ambassador of Egypt during a ceremony at Village Urugwiro in Kigali.

Speaking to the media after presenting his credentials, Siwa said that the relationship between the two countries was entering a new phase, with special focus on implementing regional integration projects.

"In respect to the relations between Rwanda and Tanzania, which had fallen into an unfortunate situation, we would like to say that let the bygones be bygones, we are starting a new chapter now,” said Siwa. Ties between the two countries have been frosty over the past few years over alleged links between Tanzanian officials and FDLR militia.

Describing past tensions as "unfortunate events”, the new envoy said that the two countries, which share a common border, have always enjoyed warm relations, which he said would continue in the interest of their citizens and the region.

He said during last month’s Central Corridor Summit in Tanzania, it was agreed that construction of a standard gauge railway would commence in June, linking Tanzania to Kigali and Burundi.

President Kagame was last week in Tanzania for an investors’ forum, which aimed at presenting to global investors, the investment opportunities along the Central Corridor, mainly in infrastructure.

The Central Corridor links Rwanda to the port of Dar es Salaam.

At the forum, the President had called for the frequent consultations and translation of political will into tangible actions to drive the region to prosperity.

On her part, the Egyptian envoy commended Rwanda for recently appointing an envoy resident in Cairo, saying it would facilitate the implementation of bilateral agreements in areas of economics, trade and health.

Cabinet last month appointed Sheikh Saleh Habimana as Rwanda’s ambassador to Egypt.

"His presence in Egypt will help build on the outcome of the economic and development conference that took place in Sharm El-Sheikh and promises that were made to the President (Kagame) of investors coming to Rwanda,” Nabil said.

She said that there were numerous investment opportunities between the two countries, some of which were already being pursued by her compatriots. Among the areas include investments in the health and energy sector.

The Ministry of Education and Egypt’s Cairo University already have plans to establish a mining and geological centre of excellence in Rwanda.

She downplayed talk of tension between the Northern African nation and other countries along the River Nile, saying there were ongoing talks regarding the use of the Nile waters

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