BUJUMBURA April 30th (ABP) – The outgoing Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Ms. Pélate Niyonkuru and her successor, Mr. Jean-Marie Niyokindi, proceeded on Friday in Bujumbura, to the ceremonies of handing over and taking over.
The key issues given to the new Minister, as Ms. Niyonkuru told reporters, include the preparations for the 20th summit of COMMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) scheduled for June 1 to 10th in Bujumbura, the marketing of sugar that must be a concern of choice to make this product available everywhere, harmonize its price and avoid speculation. In addition, the new Minister will have to follow up on the increase and development of special economic zones, the pilot zone being the Warubondo site. An Arab economic operator has already signed the contract to develop the site, Niyokuru said. In addition, the new Minister Niyokindi will be able to identify other areas inside the country.
Another important issue concerns a dispute between the government and Mr. Jérémie Nyandwi, a Burundian living in Germany, who owes Burundi a sum of € 26,000, for not having honored his commitments at a fair held in Moscow in 2016. The government of Burundi had transferred him € 11,000 to which he must add damages. The outgoing Minister also invited her successor to closely monitor the completion of the bill on the insolvency of the trader awaiting promulgation. The new Minister is called upon to quickly prepare the law enforcement texts once promulgated. Mr. Niyokindi will also look after the rehabilitation of the “Ruvubu camping lodge” and a new national handicraft policy, which currently leaves much to be desired.
For the new Minister, he promised that the file on the preparation of the 20th COMESA summit is a priority, because the summit will improve the visibility of Burundi abroad. For other activities, Mr. Niyokindi willingly agreed to collaborate effectively with all the executives of the various sectors of the Ministry under his supervision.
