BUJUMBURA July 20th (ABP) – A forum of Burundian and Tanzanian economic operators was organized on Saturday July 17, in Bujumbura, for Burundian MPs and Senators, members of the government, the Tanzanian delegation which accompanied the Tanzanian President on a State visit to Burundi and others to share the experiences of businessmen from both countries.
In his speech, the President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye, thanked his Tanzanian Counterpart, Mrs. Samia Suluhu Hassan, for that two-day visit. “Burundi has gained a lot from this visit,” President Ndayishimiye said. The Burundi Head of State congratulated and encouraged Burundian and Tanzanian economic operators for the holding of that forum. He took the opportunity to invite Tanzanian economic operators to bring their investments to Burundi, arguing that peace and security reign and that there is a lot of potential to be exploited.
The creation of a special economic zone which is underway will facilitate in the field of business, he said. He pointed out that Tanzania is a transit country where a lot of Burundian goods pass and which has been on the side of the Burundians even in difficult times that Burundi has gone through. He took the opportunity to invite Tanzanian businessmen and women to share experiences with those of Burundi in exporting products.
On her part, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania commended the way in which she was received by her Burundian counterpart and the hospitality of Burundians in general. Mrs. Hassan also underlined that the visit she had just made to Burundi made it possible not only to strengthen the relations of friendship and cooperation that already exist, but also the exchange of experiences and the resolution of certain business-related problems.
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania also did not forget to invite Burundian economic operators to bring their capital to Tanzania, specifying that in her country, there are potentials, especially mining, and that even the Tanzanian soil is very fertile. She thus encouraged those Burundian economic operators and promised that Tanzania will spare no effort to facilitate their work. The Tanzania Head of State also insisted on the construction of roads and railways, as well as the revitalization of ports to facilitate business.
In that forum, a memorandum was signed between the Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burundi (CFCIB) and Tanzania private sector foundation (TPSF) of Tanzania. The chair of the CFCIB, Mr. Audace Niyonzima, indicated that this memorandum was signed in order to facilitate trade between Burundi and Tanzania, to establish good relations between the businessmen of the two countries, and to enable the exchange of information so that businessmen can learn about business opportunities in Tanzania and vice versa. He also added that there will be the lifting of non-tariff barriers and that by working together, some problems will find solutions.