Editor,

This letteris with reference to your article, "Local businesses look to Asia for new markets, partnerships” (The New Times, June 11).

India, with a population of over 1.2 billion people and with a very large segment of middle income as well as high income individuals, would also be an excellent market for Rwandan businessmen to forge business partnerships.

A delegation from the Rwanda Private Sector Federation would for sure reap great benefits from the great Indian sub-continent. However, the crux of the matter is the avoidance of double taxation as a catalyst and a stimulant towards enhancing trade and commerce between the two countries.

When will Rwanda and India sign a double taxation avoidance agreement? It is a well known saying, "Which came first; the chicken or the egg?”

Let us not wait for business to increase and then look at signing this agreement.

It is my firm belief that the moment a double taxation avoidance agreement is signed between our two great nations, there will be a surge in bi-lateral trade and commerce, thereby contributing to the economic growth of both countries.

Clarence Fernandes, Mumbai, India