Egypt, Rwanda strengthen diplomatic ties

GASABO - The visiting Secretary General of the Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa, Friday met with top government officials from four ministries in a bid to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries. Ambassador Nivine Ashmawy met with the two ministers of Education and Health before she met with Permanent Secretaries of the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Ministries. Ashmawy discussed with Health Minister, Dr. Richard Sezibera a proposal to create an Egyptian medical centre in Rwanda. “The proposed non profitable polyclinique will be set up in either Kigali or somewhere else in the country. We have suggested that one wing of Muhima Hospital be offered for rehabilitation after which it will be fully equipped with equipment from Egypt and professional doctors,” Ashmawy told reporters at the Egyptian Embassy in Kacyiru. She pledged on behalf of the fund to provide Kigali with 30 doctors of various specialties and offered invitations to local technicians to visit pharmaceutical plants in Egypt. According to the envoy, the fund started in 1980 and played a pivotal role in assisting some underprivileged African countries to acquire economic independence and achieve development. Sezibera commended the two doctors from Egypt who are already working at the Rwanda National University hospital and requested for an extension of their stay. Ashmawy and Dr. Daphrose Gahakwa agreed on sending teachers and professors from Egypt to facilitate Rwandan schools and Universities. “She (Gahakwa) requested us to provide teachers in mathematics, physics and biology and to donate some computers which we shall faithfully do upon my return to Egypt,” Ashmawy said. The fund will also provide assistance in agricultural sectors by sending experts in agronomy, veterinary medicine and engineering. The Egyptian Ambassador to Rwanda, Ahmed Ramy, expressed their desire to explore new horizons of cooperation in future. “The good relationship between our two countries will continue to grow without any doubt as we look forward to having a better African continent,” said Ramy. Donations including fertilizers, machinery, seeds, food, medicines, and logistics like tents and blankets are also underway. Currently some Rwandan students are enrolled at various institutes in Egypt in the fields of diplomacy, agriculture, Police and Military academies courtesy of the fund. Ends