China has announced a Rwf5 billion grant towards bamboo cultivation, processing and utilisation in Rwanda.The grant was announced, yesterday, during the 7th session of the Joint Committee on Economic, Technical and Trade Cooperation between Rwanda and China at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kigali.The meeting is meant to promote trade and economic cooperation between the two trading partners. The Chinese delegation, on on a two-day tour, is led by the deputy minister of commerce in China, Li Jinzao. During the session, both governments agreed to further strengthen the cooperation in fields of trade, investment, infrastructure construction and capacity building. Mutual interestsSpeaking to The New Times, Li said strengthening ties was vital for both countries. According to Silas Lwakabamba, the minister for infrastructure, they also agreed to use Chinese technical expertise in several government administrative offices and other projects.  Since the last session of the Joint Committee in Beijing in 2009, the economic and trade cooperation between the two States has rapidly progressed. In 2012, the bilateral trade value between the two countries doubled compared to 2009 to reach $160 million (about Rwf102.4 billion). The delegation noted that Chinese companies play an important role in Rwanda’s economic development. Various projects in road construction, electricity facilities, water supply and digital broadcasting have of recent been taken up mainly by the Chinese.