“On 23rd March 2019, Governments of Tanzania and Rwanda agreed to avail direct cargo flights from Mwanza Airport to European Markets by 1st July 2019. They are also working on the transportation of Rwandan cargo through Tanga port and the supply of raw milk to Tanga,” he said in a tweet.

Tanga port is located in Northeast of Tanzania near Indian Ocean. It is the second largest port following Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania’s Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Luhaga Mpina, recently told fish traders in Mwanza town that Tanzanian and Rwandan officials were in talks to enable RwandAir ferry fish from Mwanza airport in northern Tanzania to overseas markets.

Mpina said that it will be a massive relief for Lake Zone fish traders, who have, for a long time, been seeking an alternative airline to transport their products abroad. Fish dealers in the region have been relying on Entebbe and Nairobi airports in Uganda and Kenya respectively, which they claim are more costly.

Sijaona James, the spokesperson of the Tanzania Fishermen Union, recently told Xinua news that over 1,000 tonnes of fish could not be exported in the past few months because of transport problems adding that a total loss of the exports destined for Japan and Israel stood at 5.5 billion Tanzanian shillings.

The agreements between Rwanda, Tanzania follow the visit of President Paul Kagame to Tanzania at the beginning of this month where he held talks with his counterpart, Dr. John Pombe Magufuli.

Source: Igihe

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