BUJUMBURA March 21st (ABP) – The Minister of Trade, Transport, Industry and Tourism, Mrs. Marie Chantal Nijimbere, calls on Burundian businessmen to invest in industry in Burundi, it was reported learned on Thursday March 14 during the meeting of the President of the Republic, Evariste Ndayishimiye, with officials of the Ministry in charge of Commerce, with the aim of deciding on a strategy aimed at generating wealth.
Minister Nijimbere revealed that that ministry has prepared a bill to encourage a policy that defines the management of the industrial park in order to improve the legal framework, creating good conditions for investment in that sector. There are plans to establish economic zones and industrial parks, she informed, noting that an identification study by sector has been carried out.
In terms of the tourism sector, a bill is being prepared to define tourist sites, she said, while mentioning everything relating to operational management so that investors can benefit from it. It thus encouraged the private sector to invest in that sector.
In terms of transport, Mrs. Nijimbere mentioned that a feasibility study was carried out for the construction of the railway, in collaboration with the ministry in charge of Infrastructure. She recognized that awareness is needed in order to attract private capital to that construction project.
Regarding maritime transport, she informed that there is progress compared to previous years. “The ministry is starting to get involved, we have three sites in Bujumbura province for boat construction,” she said.
The recognition of the Burundian Bureau of Standardization (BBN) at the international level as a certification body was a priority that was put forward, declared Minister Nijimbere, welcoming the step already taken. Regarding the issuance of system certificates, she indicated that the BBN is currently accredited to issue them on Burundian products which provide access to the international market. “We have had accreditation from the BBN as an authority that can certify Burundian products so that they can be exported to the international market.” Furthermore, the BBN is in the process of being accredited to promote all Burundian products and stamp them with the “Made in Burundi” seal before their export, underlined Mrs. Nijimbere.