Rwandan traders and freight forwarders have expressed approval for the renewed agreement between Rwanda and Tanzania, which was signed on Saturday, July 26, and establishes the Tanzania Ports Authority's liaison office in Kigali. This office aims to continue facilitating the clearance of goods for Rwandan businesses without requiring them to travel to Tanzanian ports, particularly Dar es Salaam. ALSO READ: New deal allows Rwandan traders to clear goods remotely from Tanzania. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the agreement renews a previous arrangement that had expired. Foreign affairs minister Olivier Nduhungirehe stated that the deal "will streamline logistics, reduce bottlenecks, and improve trade efficiency" between the two nations. What importers and freight forwarders say Speaking to The New Times about the significance of the agreement, Gaspard Muhawenimana, a pharmacist at Medisell Rwanda Ltd, a pharmaceutical importing company, discussed how such an agreement simplifies their importation processes, eliminating the difficulties associated with traveling to the ports. “Usually, based on agreements with our suppliers, products are shipped directly and we are required to take over from the port. However, delays are common as goods sometimes get stuck for more than a month, increasing their overall cost,” he explained, highlighting challenges such as long queues and bureaucratic procedures. “Having an office here in Kigali will help reduce these delays,” he added. Moreover, he mentioned that a liaison office in Kigali can assist traders in avoiding fraudulent intermediaries. “We occasionally rely on shipping companies to handle the process for us, but not all of them are professional. The new liaison office provides us with a local contact to verify any information before proceeding,” he noted. ALSO READ: Tanzania to stop steel imports following growth in local production Herman Uwizeyimana, General Manager of Fisher Global Ltd, which exports between 15 and 20 containers of chilli each year, said the presence of the port’s office in Kigali addresses many issues, such as those related to untrustworthy agents. “We once worked with agents who failed to provide accurate information. Our chilli shipment remained stuck at the port for over a month. What was initially first-grade quality deteriorated to second grade, and we lost $20,000 out of a $60,000 shipment,” he recalled. For him, the office in Kigali will make it easier to handle processes like modifying import details, submitting claims, or tracking the status of cargo. David Rwigema, Chairman of the Rwanda Freight Forwarders Association, said the liaison office in Kigali simplifies communication and reduces delays in port clearance that are often caused by traders not receiving timely updates. “When the deadline for clearing passes, penalties start piling up. But with a nearby office, you can explain your situation and possibly have the fines reduced. That is not always possible if you have to travel to the port itself,” he said. John Bosco Kalisa, Vice Chair of the Rwanda Council of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), said the office can help resolve any port-related challenges remotely and efficiently. “Trade between Rwanda and Tanzania has grown steadily over the last five years, and this development can only accelerate that momentum,” he noted.
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