Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), following the invitation made by the Honorable Minister of Commerce, Transport, Industry and Tourism of Burundi, H.E. Marie Chantal NIJIMBERE, participated in the meeting held on 11th February 2022 in Bujumbura, Burundi. The purpose of the meeting was to jointly develop Action Plan in some 24 activity areas that were identified as priority projects by the Ministry for the year 2022. The meeting was attended by more than 50 representatives of different international and national institutions that included World Food Program, UNDP, ALLPI, UNIDO and many others and was chaired by the Honorable Minister H.E. Marie Chantal NIJIMBERE. ALLPI was represented by its Programs Coordinator, Mr. Ghebregziabher Ghebremedhin and the Advisor to the Executive director, Prof. Mekonnen Hailemariam.
The Ministry identified 24 priority projects for the year 2022 in the following 6 major areas
- Trade revitalization,
- Revitalization and promotion of Industrial Sector,
- Development and promotion of Artisans,
- Export Promotion, Rationalization of imports and quality assurance and testing for protection of consumers, national economy and environment,
- Promoting Tourism, and
- Development of research and innovation.
Sideline to the meeting, the ALLPI delegation also paid courtesy visit to the honorable minster H.E. Marie Chantal NIJIMBERE and discussed on ALLPI accomplished and planned activities in Burundi, as well as on the status of assessed contribution of Burundi to the Institute. Other higher officials of the ministry present during the discussion were Dr. Faida Cartherine, Permanent Secretary; Ms Inamukobwa Avemelle, Assistant to the Minister and Engineer Anitha Nshimirimana, Director General Industry
The delegation also visited the SMEs incubation center where equipment and tools that were delivered under BADEA Technical Assistance grant through ALLPI facilitation were recently installed and commissioned for SMEs use. Other companies/enterprises visited were Alpha CD Technology manufacturing company that produces different furniture and sofa sets using Burundi made finished leather upholstery, and the Afritan and SINOBU tanneries to see how the companies/enterprises are doing under the global COVID 19 pandemic crisis situation.
