President Paul Kagame on Monday, September 7, arrived in Salalah, Oman, for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between Rwanda and the Middle Eastern country. The Head of State was welcomed by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. ALSO READ: Kagame expected in Oman on working visit It is the first official visit to Oman by a President of Rwanda. The visit opened with an official welcome reception, followed by bilateral talks between President Kagame and the Sultan and their respective delegations, aimed at strengthening relations and exploring further areas of cooperation between Rwanda and the Sultanate of Oman. On the second day, President Kagame will visit the Museum of the Frankincense Land, before proceeding to the Razat Royal Farm. The Museum of the Frankincense Land is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al Baleed Archaeological Park, and features two main exhibition areas: the Heritage Hall, which focuses on the archaeological wealth, regional heritage and socio-economic impact of frankincense trade in the Dhofar region; and the Maritime Hall which showcases Oman’s seafaring history. The Razat Royal Farm, spanning over 1,000 acres, is a key agricultural production center for the Dhofar Governorate and also serves as an agri-tourism and educational hub, open to visitors. The Sultan will host President Kagame and his delegation at a State Banquet Dinner, and will separately host a private luncheon in his honor at Al-Mamurah Palace. Growing relations The visit comes as Rwanda-Oman relations expand into areas including energy, aviation, logistics, ICT, infrastructure and investment. One of the latest areas of cooperation is energy. In July, Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) signed an agreement with Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania Limited to facilitate the importation and storage of bulk refined petroleum products through Tanzania’s Port of Tanga. The first shipment, carrying 40,000 tonnes, equivalent to about 52 million litres, of refined petroleum products from Oman was expected to arrive at the port by the end of July. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda's growing partnership with Oman Four agreements signed in January The two countries also deepened their cooperation in January this year when Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation led a high-level Rwandan delegation to Muscat. The visit resulted in the signing of four agreements and cooperation programmes covering logistics, aviation, ICT and infrastructure. The agreements included cooperation on logistics services and the development and operation of inland or dry ports, as well as supply-chain activities. Rwanda and Oman also agreed to strengthen cooperation in data centres, cloud computing, infrastructure and artificial intelligence projects and services. The two countries also launched direct flights between Muscat, Oman’s capital, and Kigali this year, operated by SalamAir. The route is expected to boost trade, tourism and business ties while connecting travellers to the airline’s wider network across the Gulf, Asia and Europe. ALSO READ: SalamAir’s low-cost Kigali–Muscat flights open new travel, business links A fourth MoU between Rwanda Development Board and Oman Airports focused on airport development and management, the exchange of expertise and exploring investment opportunities in aviation infrastructure. Longstanding commercial ties Rwanda and Oman formally established diplomatic relations in May 1982. According to Hamood bin Khalfan Al Busaidi, Rwanda’s honorary consul to Oman, Omani merchants were among the earliest foreign traders to establish commercial centres in Rwanda in the early 1900s.
