Burkina Faso Now A Major Destination For Ghana Trade
Burkina Faso has become a major destination for Ghana’s exports of non-traditional
commodities within the sub-region. Figures from the Ghana Export Promotion
Council [GEPC] indicate that the country exported a total of US$77.1 million
worth of goods to Burkina Faso in 2006, as compared to the US$63.3 million,
representing 21% growth. Export products to Burkina Faso were primary household
utensils, wood, plastics, salt and textiles. Mr Alex Dadzawa of the GEPC, attributed
the rise in exports to the observation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
He said this led to free flow of goods into the country without any taxes.
New Handicraft Center In Bobo Dioulasso
A new Handicraft Village will be opened in Bobo Dioulasso in conjunction with
the international Cinema Festival of Ouagadougou FESPACO, le Salon International
de l’Artisanat de Ouagadougou (SIAO) et le Salon International du Tourisme
et de l’Hôtellerie de Ouagadougou (SITHO). Handicrafts are vital
to Burkina’s economy involving 30% of GNP.
Business Climate Reforms - Burkina In Top 20
Burkina Faso is ranked 5th in Africa and is among the 20 best countries in
the world, according the “Doing Business 2007 in terms of business
climate reforms. Also a micro-finance sector strategy will be implemented.
It is envisioned to:
· Mobilise funds from the US Government within the MCA framework to
pave roads such as Koudougou-Dédougou, Kongoussi-Djibo-frontière
du Mali, Dédougou-Nouna-frontière du Mali, Tougan-Ouahigouya,
Kantchari-Diapaga-Tansarga-frontière du Bénin, Koudougou-Réo-Tougan,
Ouessa-Léo et Ouahigouya-Thiou-frontière du Mali.
·
Built a land port in Bobo and a maritime warehouse in Dakar seaport (6000m2);
·
Undertake feasibility studies for rail roads connexion with Ghana, Mali, Niger
Togo) on 3065 km of with 1187 km are in Burkina;
·
Rehabilitate and equip the existing airport of Ouagadougou; the total cost
is about 417 Million Euros as well to build the new airport.
·
Build two new hydro electrical barrages: Samendeni and Ouessa (Ghana border)
·
Implement the rural sustainable development Programme of irrigated agriculture
for about 350 milliards CFA
Doing Business In Burkina Faso - 05/01/07
In June 2005 Burkina Faso created a centre for business development called
Centre de Formalités des Enterprises [CEFORE]. With regards to complexities
and business formalities, the government has now decided to extend its
mission. A one stop shop is now offered to encourage investors to set up
business
in Burkina.
Burkina Faso-Niger Border Tense - 05/01/07
With tensions rising between Niger and Burkina Faso as they accuse each other's
security forces of crossing the border, local officials in the area met recently
to renew a call for a buffer zone. The situation is difficult as the exact
location of the border has not been agreed on so a buffer zone would be an
answer until a definitive solution can be found. The zone should run between
the Tillaberi Region in Niger and the Eastern and Sahel regions of Burkina
Faso and should be controlled jointly by the two countries' security forces.
The officials also agreed to call on the International Court of Justice in
the Hague to arbitrate the border dispute. The dispute has simmered quietly
for years with government officials having held talks on border issues since
2000. But only in recent weeks had local officials started making accusations
against each other.
The officials agreed to inform each other in advance of starting any infrastructural
projects and to increase cooperation to facilitate free movement as well as
to control rising banditry. [IRIN 05/01/07]
Burkina Faso to Build New Airport - 13/09/06
According to Burkina’s transport minister Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo
construction on a new Ouagadougou airport will start in 2007. The build will
be located 35km northeast of Ouagadougou, at an estimated cost of $450 million
and should be complete by 2011. [BIA 13/09/06]
Burkina in ECOWAS Role - 10/08/06
Burkina Faso has been selected to fill the position of Vice-president of the
ECOWAS Secretariat for a period of four years.
Taiwan's Huang Meets President
Compaore
Taiwan's foreign minister recently visited Burkina Faso, his fifth stop
in a six-nation Africa visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation
and
bilateral ties with the continent.
SIGOA-TOPS Officially Launched In Bobo-Dioulasso - 15/06/06
ECOWAS has launched the SIGOA-TOPS website. SIGOA-TOPS is a large business
opportunities network for information exchange including chambers of commerce,
industries and agriculture, professional associations, information distributors
and producers.
The SIGOA-TOPS was first launched in Dakar (1995), Accra (1999)
and in Lome (2003). The system has been officially installed in Burkina
Faso, in the Office
of Commerce (ONAC).
To access the site please view: http://www.sigoa-tops.net
Enterprise Centre To Be Launched - 02/06/06
The Minister of Commerce has officially launched the Centre for Enterprises
Operations Facilities (CEFORE) on 18th June 2006; the objective of this centre
is to facilitate the creation of business enterprise.
World Bank Report - Doing Business In Burkina Faso -
15/02/06
The World Bank has recently issued a number of reports entitled ‘Doing
Business in 2006’ . This is the third in a series of annual reports investigating
regulations that enhance business activity. For more information on how to
obtain these handy booklets please view http://www.doingbusiness.org/
Cotton - The Huge Moral Issue - WTO Elimination Of Trade-Distorting
Subsidies - 06/01/06/
World cotton prices have dropped to an historic low: the reason being the
immoral continuation of EU and US trade subsidies that allow non-competitive
and inefficient
farming to continue. While the recent WTO meeting in Hong Kong failed to
resolve the issue, the livelihoods of West Africa’s 12 million cotton
farmers will soon be destroyed if subsidies are not slashed.
The information given in this document has been
given in good faith and believed to be correct at the time of writing. Please
verify these facts with other relevant sources before using this as the basis
of any action taken as we regret we cannot accept liability for an consequences
due to inaccuracies in this information.
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IDR/CRI NUMBERS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY REMAINS WITH THE MERCHANT. ANY FINES/
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