Rwanda and Oman sign eight agreements to strengthen ties

Rwanda and Oman have signed two agreements and six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering trade, investment, travel, logistics and other areas of cooperation.

The agreements were signed on Tuesday, 8 September, at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah by senior officials from the two countries.

President Paul Kagame is in Oman for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

The agreements include visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, as well as measures to avoid double taxation.

The MoUs cover political consultations, labour, trade and investment, logistics, agriculture, and strategic partnership and investment activation.

Growing ties

Rwanda and Oman have expanded cooperation in recent years, particularly in trade, energy and transport.

Under a recent deal, Rwanda is set to receive monthly shipments of refined petroleum products from Oman through Tanzania’s Port of Tanga.

Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has said the imports are expected to strengthen fuel security and help stabilise prices.

The two countries have also launched direct flights between Muscat and Kigali, operated by SalamAir. The route is expected to boost trade, tourism and business links.

Rwanda and Oman established diplomatic relations in 1982.

Hamood bin Khalfan Al Busaidi, Rwanda’s honorary consul to Oman, said earlier this year that Omani merchants were among the earliest foreign traders to establish commercial centres in Rwanda in the early 20th Century.