KIGALI - The forthcoming Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) framework between Rwanda and Uganda, will address the issue of opening borders for 24 hours, The New Times has learnt.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister,Louise Mushikiwabo, the government is taking seriously the issue of opening up the borders to full operation to reduce on the costs of doing business.

"Anything that is on our side that we can do to make it easy for our traders to be able to move from one country to another, without too much limitation in terms of working hours, will definitely be pushed,” Mushikiwabo said in an interview.

The high profile meeting, scheduled to take place in Kampala, Uganda in March this year, is also expected to hold discussions on other areas like; environment and security.

"We want to see how we can make sure that our business people can cross from one country to another over a time that is extended,” the Minister emphasised.

In a separate interview, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Richard Kabonero, described closing of borders for some hours as a non-tariff barrier that slows up trade.

He added that through the framework, discussions on the subject will be held as well as finding ways of how it can fully be implemented.

"The world is open 24 hours, the East African Community (EAC) cannot afford having people sleeping,” Kabonero said.

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