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Country Guide > Africa > Burundi | |
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Business Profile Economy Subsistence agriculture employs 90 per cent of the workforce and accounts for approximately half of the total economic output. Cassava and sweet potatoes are the main subsistence crops, while coffee (the country’s leading export), tea and cotton are the main cash crops. Hides and skins also produce valuable income. The country’s small mining industry produces gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum. Deposits of vanadium, uranium and nickel – perhaps 5 per cent of known global reserves – have also been located and are due to be exploited in the near future. Oil deposits are believed to be present, although the quantities are unknown. Manufacturing is confined to small textile concerns. Burundi has economic cooperation agreements with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo through the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries and is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and of the International Coffee Organisation. As one of the poorest countries in the world, with an annual per capita income of just US$100, Burundi remains heavily dependent on foreign aid, principally from France, Germany, Belgium (these three are also its major sources of imports), the EU and the World Bank. It appeared, in 2001, that Burundi's future prospects had been improved by the largely successful implementation of the Mandela peace accord. However, sustainable peace between the Tutsi minority, who dominates government, and the Hutu majority, has looked increasingly doubtful, and has hampered Burundi's economic development - GDP plummeted to -1.3 per cent in 2004. Burundi’s major export markets are the countries of the CFA Franc zone, which take approximately one-third of the total, followed by Belgium-Luxembourg, the USA, UK, France and The Netherlands. Business Lightweight suits are necessary. April to October and December to January are the best times to visit. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1400-1730. Commercial Information The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce et de l’Industrie du Burundi, BP 313, Bujumbura (tel: 222 280; fax: 227 895). Conferences/Conventions The following is the main organisation: Intercontact, BP 982, 19 rue de l’Industrie, Bujumbura (tel: 226 618 or 666; fax: 226 603). |