The announcement was made on Monday, August 12, 2024, following a meeting between Rwanda's Minister for Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty.
During the meeting, Egypt also committed to reciprocating the gesture by allocating Rwanda a piece of land to help Rwanda in trade and investment. The specific location of the land to be occupied by Egypt is yet to be determined.
The signing of the agreement coincided with Abdelatty's visit to Kigali to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame.
According to the Egyptian minister the newly allocated land aims to "facilitate Egyptian companies and investments' access to the promising Rwandan market."
Abdelatty highlighted that the deal with the Rwandan authorities is within the framework of Egypt's efforts in addressing the urgent needs of the Rwandan market in various sectors.
He affirmed Egypt's commitment to advance relations mutually beneficial to both countries particularly in the economic and investment sectors.
Minister Nduhungirehe noted that investments in trade are key to strengthening bilateral ties between Rwanda and Egypt.
The minister also extended gratitude to Egypt for its instrumental role in establishing the Magdi Yacoub Rwanda-Egypt Heart Centre, which is set to be the first dedicated cardiac hospital in Rwanda and the sub-Saharan region.
The facility, which is being constructed in Masaka, Kicukiro District, is expected to cost $20 million. Construction began in 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2025.
Yesterday, Rwandan and Egyptian officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the supply of medical equipment and devices to the hospital once complete.
The agreement signed between Rwandan Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) and the Egyptian Medicines Authority (EDA) is aimed at ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products to be used at the new heart center.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-allocates-land-to-egypt-for-the-setup-of-a-logistics-zone
