Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Tuesday December 3, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro, and Her Excellency Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Mrs Zhao Jiangping, exchanged letters concerning the free grant agreement of one hundred million Yuan Renminbi 100,000,000 granted by the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Burundi to finance projects to be determined by the two parties in the future.
In his speech, the Ambassador of the Republic of China, His Excellency Zhao Jiangping, said that the signing of this agreement was a follow-up to the visit to China by His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, in September 2024. During this visit, the two Heads of State had a fruitful meeting and announced the elevation of bilateral relations to the rank of global strategic partnership. They reached a consensus to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, trade, experience sharing in poverty reduction and capacity building.
After President Ndayishimyé’s visit, the two parties signed letters of exchange on the construction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation building, technical assistance for the Mpanda Hospital, the Africa Solar Belt project and the rehabilitation of the Mugere hydroelectric power plant.
Concerning the economic roundtable organized on December 5 and 6, 2024, His Excellency Zhao Jiangping noted that Chinese entrepreneurs have registered to participate. She added that the Chinese Government encourages both public and private Chinese companies to invest in modern agriculture, emerging industries, and green energy as part of supporting Burundi in increasing the added value of products, accelerating the process of industrialization, and modernizing agriculture.
His Excellency Zhao Jiangping informed that the Chinese Embassy is willing to work in synergy with the relevant ministries in their efforts to strengthen the level of autonomous and sustainable development in line with the realization of Burundi’s vision of becoming ‘’an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060’’.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro, expressed his deep gratitude, on behalf of the Government of Burundi, to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for this significant gesture of friendship, brotherhood, and solidarity towards the Burundian people. He emphasized that for more than six decades, Burundi and China have maintained exceptional relations based on solidarity, mutual respect, and trust. These relations translate into pragmatic cooperation that is beneficial for both parties.
Thanks to its diverse support in several key sectors of national life, China remains a reliable and dedicated partner, assisting Burundi through various challenges while respecting the principles and values shared by both countries. China also serves as a source of inspiration for Burundi in its quest for sustainable and inclusive development, particularly in the fight against poverty.
His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro expressed his satisfaction with China’s increased participation in the economic roundtable organized from December 5 to 6, 2024, for development partners and public and private investors from various parts of the world. He noted that China is an empire of know-how, entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and the emergence of an entrepreneurial mindset. He added that the presence of Chinese economic operators at the upcoming roundtable will be an excellent opportunity for the Burundian private sector, which is still searching for direction, to benefit from Chinese experience in several areas of mutual interest.
In concluding his remarks, Minister Albert Shingiro advocated for an increasingly growing partnership.
He advocated for the intensification and acceleration of Burundi’s industrialization, making it more diverse and job-creating, while leveraging the country’s strengths, especially its fertile lands suitable for agriculture, the natural resources found in the Burundian subsoil, and the youth of the Burundian population.