Rwanda finds the negotiations at the World trade Organisation’s (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, especially in agriculture, fisheries, digital trade, are vital for millions of people around the world.

Dr. Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry who leads his country’s delegation to MC13, said Rwanda is actively participating in the negotiations on agriculture and fisheries that have the capacity to help people walk out of poverty.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) at the ongoing conference, the minister said concluding the agreement to stop illegal fishing in the oceans is very important.

Digital trade

Talking about digital trade rules, Dr. Ngabitsinze pointed out, “Today the world is globalised. Therefore, online the payment system is crucial.”

As digital payment systems help improve the speed and efficiency of transactions, defined rules and regulations will encourage more people to use them, he added.

Climate issues also warrant special attention at MC13, the minister said. Rwanda supports the reforms into the dispute settlement mechanism, he stressed.

Rwanda-UAE ties

The UAE is Rwanda’s important trading partner, Dr. Ngabitsinze emphasised. He appreciated the UAE for the well-organised conference in Abu Dhabi and offering a US$10 million grant to support a number of key initiatives of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

“This is the kindness of the UAE to support all countries. It is touching. I thank the leadership here and I hope they will continue to support the WTO and other countries.”

Around 164 nations and trading blocs are participating in the Ministerial Conference, the WTO's top decision-making body, which meets usually every two years.

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