The Japanese Government grants a rice donation to the Burundian Government

On thursday, august 17, 2022, in Gitega, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation HE Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO and the Japanese Ambassador to Burundi HE Mr. Masahiro IMAI proceeded to the approval of the exchange of note for the donation of 1500 Tons of rice that Japan offers to Burundi.

In his word for the occasion, Ambassador Masahiro IMAI said that thanks to the tireless and close diplomatic cooperation between the two countries, this program has enabled Japan to grant this food aid. He said that Japan continues to work closely with Burundi to achieve “the transition to sustainable economic growth and social development”. To achieve this, cooperation between Japan and Burundi in the agricultural sector is essential, he added. Ambassador Masahiro IMAI pointed out that Japan, which is always a close friend of Burundi in whatever the situation, has made commitments in three areas to support the development of the country: agriculture, the improvement of transport infrastructure and customs capacity and the improvement of basic social services. HE Masahiro IMAI said that the income from the sale of Japanese rice can be used for socio-economic development initiatives to which Burundi attaches great importance.

In closing, the Ambassador of Japan in Burundi, spoke about the TICAD 8 which will be held this year in Tunisia at the end of this month of august 2022. He thanked the Minister for his contribution to the TICAD8 process.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation first thanked the Ambassador of Japan to Burundi who came to perform this approval of the exchange of note for the donation of rice and also his commitment to work together to further strengthen the excellent relations between Burundi and Japan, relations that have existed for 60 years. He was delighted that these relations have always gone forward by strengthening and diversifying further in the interest of the two respective countries. He indicated that this donation will intervene in several areas including in particular in the field of agriculture, a priority area for the country.

For TICAD 8, HE Albert SHINGIRO announced that it is one of the extremely important events for the African continent, for this year the participation of Burundi will be at a high level. Burundi will submit to the Japanese side some projects of common interest in the areas already mentioned.

Note that the donation granted is about 1500 tons of rice equivalent to about 4.5 billion Burundian Francs.