Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa and Vice Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Liu Junfen on Tuesday, September 3, signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance development cooperation. The agreement was formalized on the side-lines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. It aims to enhance development cooperation focusing on collaborative efforts across various sectors. ALSO READ: Kagame in Beijing for China-Africa cooperation summit The current bilateral cooperation agreement between Rwanda and China involves projects worth US$ 600 million, according to the ministry. This agreement is a key component of Rwanda's participation in the 9th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC. The conference served as a preparatory step for the 2024 FOCAC Summit, which will further shape the future of China-Africa relations and strategic partnerships. President Paul Kagame is in attendance at the FOCAC Summit, along with other African leaders. In 2023, trade between the two countries surpassed US$ 500 million, reflecting a 16.5% increase from the previous year, the Ministry of Finance said in March. ALSO READ: 71 Rwandan students receive Chinese government scholarships Notable completed projects include the extension of IPRC Musanze, the 54-kilometre Kigali Urban Road Upgrading Project, the Upgrading Works of the 66-kilometre Huye-Kibeho-Munini-Ngoma Road Project and the Sonatubes-Gahanga road (Airport Expressway Road). Ongoing projects include the Masaka Hospital Renovation and Expansion Project in Kicukiro District, the Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant Project, and the Smart Education Project.
