Following the visit of the Burundian president to South Africa, SAA has been requested to reintroduce direct flights between the two countries to foster and improve trade between the two countries.

A joint Communiqué issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation stated that it was also requested that SAA consider cooperation with Air Burundi. South Africa agreed to consider this request.

The aim of the state visit between Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma was aimed at further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation that exist between South Africa and Burundi.

Bilateral trade stood at US$ 52 million in 2013, and has potential to grow further.

South Africa’s major export product to Burundi in 2013 was petroleum oils, (21% of total exports) followed by cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose at 15% of total exports; trucks, motor vehicle for the transport of goods (14%); iron bars and rods (14%) and lastly flour and meals of oil seeds at 4%.

The major products that South Africa imported from Burundi in 2013 were coffee and tea, followed by commodities, inorganic chemicals and electronic goods.

According to the statement, South Africa is looking into opportunities for growing its bilateral economic engagement with Burundi and particularly in the fields of tourism and conference development, infrastructure development, financial services, energy and mining. Burundi has rich deposits of coltan and nickel, as well as gold and platinum among other minerals.

Source – SAnews.gov.za