On January 29, 2022, the Ambassador of Burundi in Paris Mr. Ernest NIYOKINDI proceeded to the opening of the economic day, 1st edition in France.
This economic day was organized by the Embassy of Burundi in Paris in collaboration with the Burundian Diaspora living in France, Portugal, Spain and Monaco under the theme: “contribution of Burundians and friends of Burundi living in France, Portugal, Spain and Monaco in the implementation of the National Development Plan of Burundi (PND-BURUNDI 2018-2027). By organizing this activity, the Embassy wanted to contribute to the implementation of Burundi’s foreign policy with regard to the promotion of economic diplomacy, the mobilization of foreign investors and the Burundian Diaspora to come and invest in Burundi.
The organization of this day is also part of the logical continuation of the activities organized in Burundi, in particular the National Forum on the development of Burundi, 1st edition held in Bujumbura under the high patronage of the President of the Republic of Burundi HE Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE, of november 18 to 19, 2021 and to implement the recommendations resulting from the activities of the Burundian diaspora week organized from july 28 to 31, 2021.
During this economic day, Ambassador Ernest NIYOKINDI indicated that the Government of Burundi recognizes the financial contribution of the diaspora in the development of the Country. A value of 158.14 million US dollars (an average of 31.63 million per year) between 2009 and 2013 was transferred to Burundi by members of the diaspora according to the data from the Bank of the Republic of Burundi.
Ambassador Ernest NIYOKINDI also recalled that there are Burundian human resources based abroad whose enormous potential should benefit the development of the country. But these skills, which are often great doctors, experts, engineers and other scientists in different fields, are not listed and their profile is not drawn up for their orientation towards development sectors. Moreover, they are involved in important scientific and technological networks at the international level, while the exploitation of these networks by the establishment of partnerships could benefit the Country.
Therefore, Ambassador Ernest NIYOKINDI said that the organization of this economic day will create on one hand, a mobilization of Burundian skills from France, Portugal, Spain and Monaco and on the other hand, the mobilization of investors living in these Countries mentioned above who wish to invest in Burundi.
To close, Ambassador Ernest NIYOKINDI warmly thanked the team that organized this economic day, the staff of the Embassy as well as the members of the Diaspora who contributed very much with their multifaceted support for the success of this very important event.
