Exchange of Notes for Grant Aid for the Republic of Burundi (Project for Rehabilitation of Public Transportation)

September 7, 2009
Japanese

The Government of Japan has decided to extend grant aid of up to 1.104 billion JPY to the Republic of Burundi for the Project for Rehabilitation of Public Transportation. Notes to this effect were exchanged on September 7 (Mon) (local time: same day) in Bujumbura (capital of Burundi) between Mr. Shigeo Iwatani, Ambassador of Japan to Burundi, and S.E.M. Augustin Nsanze, Ministre des Relations Extérieures et de la Coopération Internationale of Burundi.
Vigorous economic activity is taking place in Burundi, which is currently rebuilding after a civil war, in the capital city, rural areas, and with neighboring countries. Restoring and expanding public transportation is a pressing issue, and buses are the only method of public transportation. This grant aid provides buses (23 large buses, 29 medium buses, 36 small buses) and equipment for the operation and maintenance of rolling stock to public transportation corporations that link Burundi internally and with neighboring countries. It is expected that this project will greatly improve the transportation capacity of public transportation by expanding the number of bus lines from 41 to 107, and invigorate the economy of the capital city and rural areas.
This grant aid is part of Japan's commitment to Africa announced at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) held May 2008 to provide assistance in the field of infrastructure (transportation).

(Reference) The Republic of Burundi is located in Central Africa, covers a land area of 27,800 square kilometers, has a population of approximately 8.5 million people (World Bank, 2007), and a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of 110 USD (World Bank, 2007).

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