SA ready to help Burundi's rebuilding

2011-08-11 14:01

Johannesburg - South Africa stood ready to help Burundi with its post-conflict reconstruction, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

The country was prepared to aid in opening up Burundi's "political space", help post-conflict "capacity-building" and ensure economic development, Zuma said in a statement.

Identified areas of co-operation between Burundi and South Africa were in infrastructure development, agriculture and agro-processing, higher education, defence, mining, tourism and private sector development.

South Africa was keen to partner with Burundi in agriculture, Zuma said, as it employed 80% of that country's economically active people.

Support for higher education would include technical co-operation on building capacity to manage higher education, teacher education and higher education planning.

"We also envisage co-operation amongst our universities on joint research projects, student and academic exchange programmes.

"This visit serves to also kick-start improved economic co-operation. South Africa would like to see increased volumes of trade and investment between the two countries."

Zuma departed for Burundi for a state visit on Wednesday.

A delegation accompanying Zuma included ministers of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Higher Education Blade Nzimande, Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu and Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Thandi Tobias-Pokolo.

- SAPA