Tanzania-Rwanda trade forum slated for May 20

The first Tanzania-Rwanda Trade forum is scheduled to take place on May 20 in Rwanda's capital city Kigali.

The forum aims to promote trade, investments, and enhance bilateral partnerships between the business actors from the two Partner States, organizers said in a statement on Thursday.

"The trade forum is aimed at fostering trade initiatives whose ultimate goal is to improve business environment, formalize trade and strengthen economic ties between Tanzania and Rwanda," the statement said.

More than 100 key business players from Tanzania and Rwanda's Private sectors, and policy decision makers from both governments are expected to attend the event.

The trade forum comes following the reviving of warm relations between the countries.

"As trade is the backbone of every economy, thus this forum comes at an opportune moment of renewed interest in the neo-political relation between Tanzania and Rwanda," said the statement.

During his visit to Rwanda on April 6, Tanzanian President John Magufuli and his counterpart Kagame inaugurated the Rusumo One stop Border Post and Rusumo International Bridge on the Rwanda-Tanzania border.

Speaking to both Rwandan and Tanzanian citizens and dignitaries gathered on the Rwandan side of the Rusumo border, President Magufuli pledged to strengthen cooperation.

He also asked business people in both countries and citizens from the entire East African Community to work together to build the bloc's economies. Endit