A Chinese diplomat based in Kigali has shed light on Rwanda's new honey export deal with China, following the signing of a key protocol during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit.

At the summit, both countries issued a joint statement outlining several areas of cooperation including trade where the honey export deal stood out, paving the way for the entry of Rwandan honey into the Chinese market.

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In a press conference held in Kigali, Gao Zhiqiang, the Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy, lauded the honey export deal as a gateway for Rwandan honey to access the Chinese market, but emphasised that the agreement is only the first step, as more processes have to follow during the implementation.

"I think both Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and our minister for general administration of customs are very happy to see the introduction of the honey protocol. It opens the door for Rwandan honey to go into the Chinese market,” he said, as he pointed out that the Chinese market is an open one, characterised with competition, and thus requiring Rwandan businesses to learn more about it as they embark on exporting.

He called upon both sides – the Chinese companies and Rwanda businesses to work together to explore more about the Chinese market, the characteristics of Chinese consumers, in order to get an advantage on the market.

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"They (Chinese consumers) have too many choices now, but we need to gather their attention more to Rwandan business,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, when asked about the possibility of Rwanda partnering with China to construct a railway within the country or connect it with neighbouring East African nations, he acknowledged that some discussions and feasibility studies have taken place.

However, he emphasised that Rwanda's challenging topography would make railway construction very expensive currently, and thus, the country is now prioritising road infrastructure for now.

"We need many conditions to make it possible in Rwanda. Because of the specific geography characteristics here, it is going to take a lot of money to build a railway from other areas to Rwanda or even inside Rwanda,” he noted.

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However, he noted that, to his knowledge, the government has placed a railway project on its agenda, as Chinese companies are currently collaborating with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the University of Rwanda on a feasibility study to determine when and how the country can construct its own railway.

"It’s on the agenda but as you know, it takes time,” he said.

China is continuing to partner with African countries in constructing railway lines for them. The standard gauge railway (SGR) between Mombasa and Nairobi in Kenya, which started running a few years ago, is a key example of China’s willingness to finance and construct rail links in Africa.

Other key projects include a link between Ethiopia and Djibouti, and a new line connecting Lagos and Ibadan in Nigeria.