East African Business Week (Kampala)
26 June 2011
editorial
This year, Burundi has endeavored to catch up with the rest of the region in doing business. For a long time, Burundi had not made great steps to better the business climate like it has recently done. This time, she has reformed over four indicators in doing business. The indicators tackled have been, Starting a business, dealing with construction permits, registration of property and protection of investors.
For a long time, Burundi has been considered a risky prospect for business because of the long running insecurity that caused uncertainty in the international community. However, this is now in the past, there is an elected government and legislators have now gotten down to the business of economic development.
Burundi now has to get into a sustained effort of publicity to showcase the abundant world beating opportunities that have been amply demonstrated by the recent win in the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin where Burundi was voted best exhibitor.
Being a land-locked country, Burundi needs the full participation of the other member states of the East African community (EAC) to ease the effects of isolation. The best way this can be done is by the location of industries in this tiny country in the heart of Africa.
Burundi is blessed with a great climate that supports the growth of the much wanted high quality coffee and tea. This can be the basis for the development of an advanced industry. Abounding with beauty, Burundi can also take advantage of her natural endowments and develop an advanced service industry. Being a gateway to the vast mineral rich Congo DRC also places Burundi in a strategic location that can see the launching of several mineral based industrial and service activities.
That Burundi is now chair of the EAC creates a wonderful opportunity for her to steer her activity and that of the other member states to fulfil the potential for the attraction of investment.
AllAfrica – All the Time
More:
Reforms On Right Footing