Follow Up - Progress to date: Burundi

After a preliminary mission in December 2002, the main IF mission for Burundi took place in March 2003. Based on the outcome of this mission an aide-memoir was prepared outlining the main issues to be addressed in the DTIS and the priority areas for Trade-Related Technical Assistance.

The main issues to be addressed included the following themes:

• Macroeconomic Framework

• Exchange Rate System

• Alleviation of the Debt Burden

• Development and Modernization of the Service sector

• Competitiveness and Investment Climate

• Structural Reforms

The following areas were proposed for Trade Related Technical Assistance:

• Coffee sector

• Export Promotion

• Customs Reform

• Domestic Investment Environment

• Capacity Development in Ministry of Trade and Industry

• Implementation of WTO Agreements

The draft study is practically completed and after an internal World Bank review, the members of the IFWG will review it. Upon completion of the draft study a national workshop will be convened during the Fall of 2003.

Burundi has reaffirmed its strong commitment to mainstreaming trade policy into its poverty reduction and growth strategy. Burundi’s Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP—July 2002) defines six key themes and priority actions composing its strategy. One of the priority actions of this strategy is the need to “improve the macroeconomic environment and promote high-quality economic growth that will help reduce poverty.” Promotion of the external sector has been identified as a key component of this priority action. The next version of the interim-PRSP is expected to feature trade as a full-fledged priority action.

France is the IF facilitator for Burundi.

Page Last Updated On July 12, 2005