Rwanda and Egypt are in talks to forge an aviation deal that could see either RwandAir or Egyptair operate direct flights between Kigali and Cairo, Egyptian Envoy to Rwanda said yesterday.

Ambassador Khaled Abdel Rahman told Business Times that discussions are ongoing as both countries look to bolster ties.

"There will be soon, a direct airline between Kigali and Egypt – this will help to encourage businessmen and companies to come to Egypt,” he said shortly after paying a courtesy call on Defense Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe.

"We also talked about the importance of enhancing the bilateral relations in the economic domain.”

The Minister of Infrastructure, Vincent Karega, explained that: "We have made a request and there is willingness on both sides – we are still reviewing the contents of the old bilateral agreement.”

"We are talking of Rwandair on the Rwandan side and Egyptair on the Egyptian side,” Karega said.

In July 2009, during celebrations to mark the Egyptian National day, in Kigali, the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Rosemary Museminali, announced the two countries were set to sign a protocol that would set up the Rwanda - Egypt Joint Permanent Commission (JPC).

The JPC was to, among other things, put in place a framework under which economic cooperation between the two countries would be undertaken, especially in areas including trade, agriculture and water management.

Ends