Bujumbura – May 31, 2011
Today the Government of Burundi, represented by the Minister of External Relations and International Cooperation His Excellency Monsieur Augustin Nsanze, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Scott Allen, the Deputy Director of TradeMark Africa (TMA).
“I congratulate TradeMark on signing this MOU with the government of Burundi. TradeMark will be a key partner as we continue to implement the integration agenda to the East African Community at the national and regional level”. said Minister Nsanze.
TradeMark Africa (TMA) Burundi has been designed to complement its interventions at the regional level and in other East African Community (EAC) Member States, as well as initiatives of other development partners. The goal of the programme is ‘increased growth and poverty reduction in Burundi’. The programme purpose is ‘greater regional integration and trade competitiveness in Burundi’. The TradeMark Africa (TMA) Burundi country programme will deliver four major outcomes:

i) Reduction in transport and related costs along the key corridors in East Africa.

ii) Partner states substantially increase the implementation of a comprehensive framework for regional integration.

iii) Private sector and civil society positively influence regional integration policies and practices for growth in trade.

iv) Increased revenue collection and customs efficiency through the establishment of the Revenue Authority of Burundi (OBR).
Priorities will be stressed on (i) facilitating transport and regional trade though removal of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and creation of One Stop Border Posts (OSBP), supporting private sector opportunities with the EAC commercial block, (ii) strengthening Ministry to the President’s Office for East Africa Affairs (MPACEA) capacity to coordinate Burundi EAC policy implementation and negotiation, (iii) ensuring that the private sector, civil society and media benefit from the full benefits of the EAC (iv) supporting the development of the Burundi Revenue Authority.
In Burundi, TradeMark Africa (TMA) is presently financed by three development partners, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, through financial, technical, capacity building and logistical support with a present contribution of $25 million. As part of its support package to Burundi, TradeMark Africa plans to leverage further donor contributions to increase the budget up to $48 million over the next five years.
Find out more about Trademark East Africa.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

To arrange for interviews please contact:

Dominique Puthod

Country Director, Burundi

Phone: +257 (0) 78 801 017

Email: dominique.puthod@trademarkea.com

Source: TradeMark Africa (TMA)

TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TradeMark Africa (TMA) works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.