Benin President's visit to Rwanda to boost bilateral ties

Benin President Patrice Talon met with Rwandan leader Paul Kagame on Monday during a visit to strengthen bilateral relations.

Talon arrived in the Rwandan capital Kigali for a three-day state visit seeking closer ties with Rwanda, especially in investment and trade, according to the Rwanda ministry of foreign affairs.

Upon Landing at Kigali International Airport at around 11 a.m. local time, the Benin head of state was received by his counterpart President Paul Kagame, and was greeted by an honor guard detachment mounted by Rwanda defense forces.

At his arrival, Talon headed to the Kigali Genocide Memorial to honor the victims of the 1994 genocide, where he laid a wreath to mass graves of genocide victims.

According to a communique from the Office of the Rwanda President, Talon will this evening be hosted to a state banquet.

The two countries are aiming to strengthen cooperation in trade as they see great potential in this field.

Talon and Kagame will exchange views on development in their respective countries, and discuss how to leverage Benin-Rwanda relations to promote trade and cooperation among the two countries' citizens.

The Benin President will also visit Rwanda's Special economic zone and the Rwanda Development Board during his tour to the central African country.

Early this year Benin and Rwanda signed a major aviation deal that will see RwandAir launching flights to Cotonou in Benin effective September 2.

The deal is expected to create opportunities for traders and investors to explore economic, social and cultural opportunities in both countries. Endit