Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Wednesday August 28, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO, received in audience the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Burundi, Her Excellency Mrs Zhao Jiangping. The two personalities discussed a number of points, including the progress of projects financed by China, preparations for the next China Africa Cooperation Forum scheduled for early September 2024 in Beijing, and other points of common interest.
As part of the implementation of the Cooperation Agreements signed between Burundi and China, the Burundian Head of State, His Excellency Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE, launched the project to rehabilitate, extend and modernize the Melchior NDADAYE International Airport on Tuesday 27 August, 2024, one of the projects financed by China with the aim of strengthening infrastructure for sustainable development and stimulating foreign investment.
It should be noted that the take-off and landing runway, built in 1956, needs modernizing to meet international standards and other air transport requirements, i.e., the construction of new extensions to increase the airport’s capacity, modernization of equipment, and the introduction of cutting-edge technologies to improve the efficiency of airport operations, including air traffic management systems and modern safety equipment.
Concerning the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held in Beijing, China, from 4 to 6 September, 2024, Burundi’s participation is a certainty and a Burundian delegation from Bujumbura will take part in this discussion forum for greater economic cooperation between China and Africa.
