Countries
Burundi
Burundi is a least-developed Sub-Saharan country (LDC) which is trying to find its way forward after many years of civil war. Its GNI per capita has gone from US $ 90 in 2005 to
US $ 150 in 2010. The range of problems facing the government is such that little attention has been paid to improving the business climate. In several respects conditions have worsened: while it took 433 days to enforce a contract in 2005, it would take 832 days in 2010. Also, an overall tax rate of 153,4 % of profits in 2010 is sure to discourage entrepreneurs from moving into the formal sector.
Unsurprisingly, Burundi’s WB Doing Business ranking has gone from 143rd in 2006 to 181st in 2011.
Burundi’s employers’ national and international interests are being represented by the Association des Employeurs du Burundi (AEB), member of the International Organisation of Employers. DECP paid a fact-finding mission to Burundi in 2009 and decided to start working with the AEB as well as with the Association des Femmes Entrepreneurs du Burundi (AFAB).
An important initiative was the organisation in 2010 of a “Round Table” at which the AEB presented its views and wishes concerning the business environment to representatives of most political parties and the media, in view of the upcoming national and local elections.
In January 2011, DECP participated in a 2-days workshop in Rumonge organised by AEB for the local fishermen and palm-oil producers with the aim to get them organised as new members of AEB. In addition, as those activities belong to the informal sector, DECP is assisting AEB in finding appropriate solutions for getting them out of the informal sector.