Summary：Rwanda and Tanzania authorities on Tuesday agreed to speed up the process of putting in place cross-border Isaka-...

Rwanda and Tanzania authorities on Tuesday agreed to speed up the process of putting in place cross-border Isaka-Kigali Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, infrastructure ministers of the two countries said Tuesday in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda.

Rwanda and Tanzania have agreed to continue the bilateral discussion on financing options and speed up the whole process involved in the implementation of SGR project, said Rwandan Minister of Infrastructure Claver Gatete at a meeting with his Tanzanian counterpart Isack Kamwelwe.

The planned railway is expected to reduce transportation cost, foster physical integration and improve social services across the East Africa region, said Gatete.

"We are committed to strengthen our collaboration and ensure that the Isaka-Kigali railway project becomes a reality in shortest possible time," said Kamwelwe at the meeting aimed at laying out a plan on the implementation of the project.

The two countries have agreed to look for funds to implement the project and modes of operation, he said.

They are looking into the interest by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and considering its capability and commitment to financing the project, he added.

The meeting followed weekend sessions in Kigali by senior technocrats from both countries who sought to explore the remaining details pertaining to the project.

The Isaka-Kigali railway project was launched on Jan. 20 in Dar es Salaam, commercial capital of Tanzania, by the two governments.

The 400-kilometer railway line from Tanzania's Isaka to Kigali will connect landlocked Rwanda to the Dar es Salaam port.

It is estimated to cost 2.5 billion U.S. dollars, according to initial studies.

Tanzania will foot a bill worth 1.3 billion U.S. dollars while Rwanda will raise 1.2 billion dollars, officials said during the launch.