The local content production industry has received a huge boost following the signing of a cultural co-operation deal where local films will be broadcast in China. 

The Rwanda-China broadcasting co-operation agreement that was signed between Rwanda Broadcasting Agency and the Chinese embassy in Rwanda will improve the quality of services and professionalism in broadcasting and the cultural industry, according to Arthur Asiimwe, the RBA managing director. 

Asiimwe said the deal was a landmark development that will spur socio–cultural and economic development of two nations. He challenged local content producers to up their game, saying the industry still faces the challenge of poor quality content, especially dramas and short films on market. 

He added that though digital broadcasting presents huge opportunities to content developers, few have risen to the occasion to provide the new TV stations that have come up with quality content.

Speaking at the signing event during the ‘Beijing TV dramas and movies broadcasting season in Africa’ conference and exhibition in Kigali, Guo Ziqi, the vice-president of the StarTimes Group, said Kinyarwanda movies sold in China will be translated in the different local languages in China. 

"We are planning to introduce African content in China, including Rwandan documentary movies. These will, not only improve the local professional content and cultural exchange, but will also help expand the market for Rwandan films on the international stage,” Ziqi said.

The first secretary at the embassy of the People's Republic of China in Rwanda, Zhang Wenping, said the bilateral co-operation will also be in areas like play writing and movie production. He added that cultural exchanges will also enrich cultures of the two countries and contribute to growth of the cultural industry and both economies.

"Chinese movies are coming to Rwanda and Rwandan movies will also be sold in China which will create mutual benefits among the two countries,” Wenping said.