Rwanda and Ethiopia on Wednesday signed a technical cooperation agreement in agriculture. Dr Agnes Kalibata, Minister for Agriculture, signed on behalf of the Rwandan government, while her Ethiopian counterpart, Terefra Derbew signed on behalf of his government. The agreement establishes a Joint Ethio–Rwanda Agricultural steering Committee to ensure permanent contacts between both countries in the sector. Dr Kalibata appreciated the ‘excellent friendship’ that exists between Rwanda and Ethiopia and said the cooperation agreement will further cement these ties. “The agreement we just signed provides opportunity for both our sister countries to share experiences in the sector for mutual learning as we strive to improve the livelihood of our people” she said. Sharing experienceTefera said he had heard of several success stories in Rwanda’s agricultural sector and was keen to learn from Rwanda’s experience but also ready to share Ethiopia’s accomplishments such as the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange. The agreement is within a broader framework of a Joint Permanent Commission set up in July last year to shape and expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of Trade and investment, Defence and Security and Agricultural among others between Rwanda and Ethiopia.
