Kagame arrives in Congo-Brazza

President Paul Kagame yesterday arrived in Oyo, the hometown of Congo’s President, Denis Sassou N’guesso. According to a statement from the President’s Office, during the two day visit, the President will hold private talks with his Congolese counterpart and tour the town of Oyo which is north of the capital, Brazzaville. Bilateral relations between Rwanda and the Republic of Congo have grown in recent years and now include economic and trade partnerships of Rwandan and Congolese businesses facilitated by twice weekly flights by national carrier, Rwandair between Kigali and Brazzaville.Recently the two countries signed agreement to strengthen cooperation within the fishing industry. The MoU allows Rwanda to share its experiences in cage and tank fisheries while also helping to improve imports and exports for both nations. Rwanda is growing rapidly in the area of fresh water fish but as a land locked country does not have access to the types of salt-water fish that Congo Brazzaville has. This makes a relationship mutually beneficial, as the two countries can supply what the other lacks.Recently also the countries’ commerce chambers signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share information and expertise.The MoU targets to facilitate traders in both countries to access potential investment areas. The agreement was signed between Private Sector Federation of Rwanda and Congo Brazzaville Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Trade.Through the Private Sector Federation, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), RwandAir and Ministry of Trade and Industry, a trade exhibition was organised in Brazzaville.President Kagame’s visit to Congo comes shortly after a visit by President Sassou N’guesso to Rwanda in November 2012 during which the two heads of state discussed bilateral and regional issues including the crisis in DRC and need to continue supporting the ongoing regional peace process.