Rwanda

AGOA Status: Rwanda is eligible for AGOA this year. It also qualifies for textile and apparel benefits.

Trade Agreements: The U.S.-Rwanda Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which will enter into force following ratification by the U.S. Senate and approval by the Rwandan Parliament, was signed in 2008. The negotiations toward the BIT were launched in 2007 as one outcome of the consultations under the 2006 United States-Rwanda Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The most recent U.S.-Rwanda TIFA Council meeting was held in Rwanda on April 16, 2009.

The U.S. also has Trade & Investment Framework Agreements (TIFA) with the East African Community (EAC) and with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Rwanda is a member of both regional organizations. The U.S. is working with the EAC on a new regional integration initiative, which will enhance the U.S.-EAC trade and investment relationship.

U.S.-Rwanda Trade Facts

Rwanda is currently our 175th largest goods trading partner with $52 million in total (two way) goods trade during 2010. Goods exports totaled $31 million; Goods imports totaled $22 million. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Rwanda was $9 million in 2010.

Exports

Rwanda was the United States' 175th largest goods export market in 2010.

U.S. goods exports to Rwanda in 2010 were $31 million, down 10.4% from 2009.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2010 were: Pharmaceutical Products ($18 million), Special Other (articles donated for relief) ($3 million), Electrical Machinery ($3 million), Machinery ($3 million), and Optic and Medical Instruments ($2 million).

Imports

Rwanda was the United States' 153rd largest supplier of goods imports in 2010.

U.S. goods imports from Rwanda totaled $22 million in 2010, a 12.2% increase from 2009.

The five largest import categories in 2010 were: Spices, Coffee and Tea (coffee) ($19 million), Ores, Slag, and Ash (tungsten ore) ($1 million), Lac and Vegetable Saps (pyrethrum) ($702 thousand), Straw, Esparto (basketwork) ($535 thousand), and Book and Newspapers ($82 thousand).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade surplus with Rwanda was $9 million in 2010, a 39.3% decrease from 2009.