Burundi has lauded efforts by Kenya Ports Authority to enhance clearance and logistics of goods at the Port of Mombasa.
Burundi’s transport minister Jean Bosco Ntunzwenimana said the ongoing construction of the alternative route from Mombasa, Voi, Taveta, Moshi, Arusha, Singida to Bujumbura will significantly reduce the distance from the Port of Mombasa to the Port of Bujumbura.
The new route covers a total of 1,545 kilometres compared to the other 1903km route from Mombasa via Nairobi-Malaba-Kampala-Katuna-Kigali to Bunjumbura.
“We are working towards promoting good working relations between the Port of Mombasa and the Port of Bujumbura so that we jointly bolster trade in the region,” Ntunzwenimana said.
Last year, a total of 75,811 tonnes of Burundi imports and exports passed through the Mombasa.
KPA acting managing director Catherine Wairi said the container throughput will reach 1.6 million TEU’s in 2018 when the second container terminal starts operations.
“The authority has also acquired a 50-acre land at Taveta border with Tanzania where we intend to construct an inland container depot. The improved road infrastructure coupled with an inland container depot will boost onward transit, outright export and transshipment of cargo,” she said.
Source: The Star

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