{"id":33317,"date":"2023-01-13T12:15:31","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T12:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/rwanda-turkey-sign-three-cooperation-agreements"},"modified":"2023-01-13T12:49:08","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T12:49:08","slug":"rwanda-turkey-sign-three-cooperation-agreements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/rwanda-turkey-sign-three-cooperation-agreements","title":{"rendered":"Rwanda, Turkey sign three cooperation agreements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Rwanda and Turkey on Thursday, January 12 signed three cooperation agreements to further enhance the ‘good\u2019 bilateral ties between both countries.<\/p>\n

The agreements were signed by Vincent Biruta, Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Turkish counterpart, Mevlu\u0308t C\u0327avus\u0327og\u0306lu who is in Rwanda on a working visit.<\/p>\n

Prior to the signing ceremony, the Turkish minister visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial site and paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. He also held a te\u0302te-a\u0300-te\u0302te with Minister Biruta flanked by delegations from both sides.<\/p>\n

The agreements include general cooperation, culture, as well as science, technology and innovation.<\/p>\n

Vincent Biruta, Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs addresses journalists during the signing ceremony of the agreement<\/p>\n

Biruta said the partnerships between both countries are vibrant and they are exploring ways of signing more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also discussed increasing trade and investment between our countries…and very soon, we will sign a host country agreement for the Turkish Maarif Foundation which will invest in TVET training in Rwanda,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

C\u0327avus\u0327og\u0306lu noted that the annual business forum between both countries organised by the private sector is a major driver of increased trade volumes and Turkish companies are very much interested in infrastructure projects in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

Turkish firms have been part of the construction of different projects such as the Kigali Convention Centre, BK Arena, and the ongoing renovation of Amahoro Stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe current level we have reached in trade is not satisfactory. Yes, five times increase in three years but the potential is huge and we should set new targets by $1 billion trade for the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

According to available data, Rwanda’s exports to Turkey have increased from $31million in 2019 to $178 million in 2022.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Rwanda has attracted Turkish investors in the recent past with the Turkish tycoon, Ferit S\u0327ahenk promising that his multinational\u2019s operations in Rwanda will \u201cdo something very good for the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

This can be traced by a step taken by his company, Dog\u0306us\u0327 Group, to invest in Rwanda\u2019s hospitality sector by setting up at least three luxury resort hotels as announced in September last year.<\/p>\n

The hotels are expected to be constructed in Kigali, Karongi, and around Lake Kivu belt.<\/p>\n

Dog\u0306us\u0327 Group is one of the largest private conglomerates in Turkey. It has a portfolio of 250 companies in seven industries, including high-end car dealerships, retail stores, restaurants, cafes, construction companies, radio stations, and media and tourism businesses.<\/p>\n

Africa benefits from Black Sea Grain Initiative<\/b><\/p>\n

The Turkish minister Mevlu\u0308t C\u0327avus\u0327og\u0306lu speaks to journalists after signing the agreement.<\/p>\n

The Turkish Minister also said that Africa is set to benefit from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, an agreement between Russia and Ukraine made with Turkey and the United Nations during the 2022 Russian-Ukraine crisis to safely transport grain and foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe intend to expand the volume of grain products in Africa by processing them in Turkey. We also want to expedite the export of fertilizers which is also important for the agricultural growth and productivity of Africa,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Vincent Biruta and his Turkish counterpart, Mevlu\u0308t C\u0327avus\u0327og\u0306lu sign the agreement in Kigali on Thursday, January 12. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza<\/p>\n

The Turkish minister Mevlu\u0308t C\u0327avus\u0327og\u0306lu lays a wreath to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial.<\/p>\n

Prior to the signing ceremony, the Turkish minister Mevlu\u0308t C\u0327avus\u0327og\u0306lu visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial site and paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi<\/p>\n\r\n