Rwanda and Bangladesh on Thursday, January 12 signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to enhance connectivity, trade and people-to-people relationships between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in a formal ceremony at the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh with residence in New Delhi, Jacqueline Mukangira, and Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladeshi High Commissioner accredited to India.

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According to a statement by the Rwandan high commission, the air service agreement has created the basis for the two countries' airlines to operate air transport services that will facilitate the movement of people, cargo and mail, in the context of strengthening business bonds and promoting tourism between Rwanda and Bangladesh.

"The agreement will contribute enormously to the economic growth of both countries, and will notably provide the Rwandan private sector with access to a market of more than 160 million people,” the statement reads.

"Rwanda and Bangladesh are also still negotiating various agreements that will bring their bilateral cooperation to greater heights.”

Bangladesh becomes the fourth country in South Asia to sign a BASA agreement, after India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. In addition to the four countries, Mukangira also represents Rwanda in Nepal.

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The signing of the agreement followed consultations of civil aviation authorities and diplomatic interactions by officials from both countries.

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"Rwanda and Bangladesh are also still negotiating various Agreements that will bring their bilateral cooperation to greater heights,” the high commission said.

Rwanda and Bangladesh have enjoyed good diplomatic relations since 2012. Both countries are among the biggest troop contributors to the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

As of April 2022, Rwanda had signed a bilateral air service agreement with 107 countries — 49 in Africa, 24 Europe, 19 Middle East and Asia and 15 in the Americas.