At the invitation of the Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, President Kagame today attended the inauguration of Djibouti International Free Trade Zone.
The newly completed industrial area is Djibouti’s pilot free trade zone. It will provide comprehensive solutions to companies operating in the services, trade and manufacturing industries and is set to attract businesses from across the African continent and the world.
Speaking at the event, President Kagame expressed his gratitude to Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, and congratulated him for the landmark achievement.
“I am very glad to join you and our brothers and leaders from this region and to congratulate you. We are behind you in the realisation of this project and I am sure it will serve all of us, even as far south as Rwanda and beyond,” President Kagame said.
The inauguration event was also attended by Presidents Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of Somalia, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, as well as African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The area, which will span over a total 48 square kilometers after expansion, is one of the largest free trade zones in Africa. The Zone will benefit the whole continent as, under the auspice of the African Union, 49 African nations – including Djibouti – recently signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a trade agreement aimed to create a single market for African countries.
Rwanda and Djibouti enjoy strong bilateral ties in several key areas including; air transport, trade and investment, and ICT. The two countries also partner to advance regional integration.