President Paul Kagame is expected in Oman for a two-day working visit focused on strengthening economic and investment ties between the two countries. During the visit, he is expected to meet Omani officials to discuss cooperation between Rwanda and the Middle Eastern country. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda's growing partnership with Oman Rwanda’s ties with Oman have grown in recent years. One of the latest developments is a deal that will see Rwanda receive direct shipments of refined petroleum products from Oman through Tanzania’s Port of Tanga. Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva said Rwanda expects to receive one shipment a month, with the imports expected to improve fuel supply security and help stabilise prices. ALSO READ: New petroleum deals ‘advance Rwanda’s ambitions as regional hub’ The two countries also launched direct flights between Muscat, Oman’s capital, and Kigali this year, operated by Oman’s SalamAir. The route is expected to boost trade, tourism and business links while connecting travellers to the airline’s wider network across the Gulf, Asia and Europe. Rwanda and Oman formally established diplomatic relations in March 1998, although their ties date back much further. ALSO READ: Govt set to receive first 40,000-tonne direct fuel shipment Hamood bin Khalfan Al Busaidi, Rwanda’s honorary consul to Oman, said in a media interview mid this year that Omani merchants were among the earliest foreign traders to establish commercial centres in Rwanda in the early 1900s.
