Congo-BrazzaVille Agriculture and fisheries Minister Matson Mampouya Hellon is in Rwanda to cement the recent agreed bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Mampouya has had an agreement and signed MoU with his Rwandan counterpart Dr Agnes Kalibata to have mutual cooperation between the two Ministries.
This follows the renewal of bilateral relations between the two countries after 27 years which the recent state visit of his president Denis Sassou Nguesso to begin cooperation in the areas of Agriculture, Trade, Natural Resources and Human settlement, ICT development, tourism among others.
The two countries entered the pacts during the second Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) meeting held in Kigali. The first session of JPC last held in August 1984.
During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, and her Congolese counterpart, Basile Ikouebe, resolved to move beyond signing agreements but be followed by action.
Mapouya has also been received by Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi accompanied by Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources Ernest Ruzindaza.
Hosted by his counterpart Dr Agnes Kalibata, the two signed MoU Monday December 12, 2011 to strengthen cooperation in fishing industry between the two countries.
The MoU allows Rwanda to share its experiences in cage and tank fisheries while also helping to improve imports and exports for both nations.
Rwanda has shown potentially developed in the area of fresh water fish but as a land locked country does not have access to the types of salt-water fish that Congo Brazzaville has, making this relationship mutually beneficial for two countries to establish supply to each other.
During his stay, Minister Mampouya visited various fishing activities across the country. He returns to Congo Brazzaville on Wednesday, December 14, 2011.
In his interview with the press, the Minister Mampouya said that discussions with Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi focused on collaboration between Congo and Rwanda.
Mampouya added that his visit was also intended to inform the Prime Minister the nature of agreement with his counterpart from Rwanda.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources Ernest Ruzindaza said that the Congo would like to improve fish farming, and Rwanda, which has taken a major step in this area, is ready to support them in this process.
With an annual production estimated at 100 000 tonnes per year, Congo says Rwanda’s experience will enable Congo-Brazzaville to reduce the rate of imported fishes.
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