Hanoi (VNA) - The forthcoming visit to Vietnam by Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations, reaffirming both nations' commitment to expanding cooperation across politics, economy, trade, culture, and social affairs.
In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Africa ahead of the April 3-6 visit, Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania and Burundi Vu Thanh Huyen highlighted the significance of the visit, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. She emphasised that the visit reflects both countries’ desire to deepen their partnership in multiple sectors.
The ambassador recalled her recent meeting with the President as part of the credential presentation ceremony, during which the leader expressed high expectations for his Vietnam visit. He emphasised cultural and ideological similarities between the two countries and suggested strengthening economic, trade, and investment exchanges.
A standout success in bilateral cooperation is Viettel Group’s 2014 investment of 200 triệu USD in Burundi’s telecom sector. Its subsidiary, Lumitel, has grown into the country’s top telecommunications provider, contributing substantially to the national budget, creating thousands of jobs, and supporting social welfare programmes. Burundian leaders have lauded Lumitel for its role in fostering Vietnam-Burundi relations.
Signaling its growing interest in deeper engagement, Vietnam appointed an Honorary Consul in Burundi in 2024 to bolster economic, tourism, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Huyen highlighted East Africa, including Burundi, as a promising market with immense investment and trade opportunities.
With a strong goods demand, the region aligns well with Vietnam’s exports, including rice, textiles, footwear, electronics, and machinery. Meanwhile, Burundi and East Africa can serve as vital suppliers of raw materials such as crude oil, agricultural products, minerals, and precious metals.
Burundi, where agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, is advancing modernisation efforts, while boosting the mining sector, particularly in gold, nickel, and rare earth minerals, and enhancing infrastructure to attract foreign investment.
With the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2021, trade between Vietnam and Africa has been on the rise, and is set for further growth.
On the diplomatic front, Burundi has actively engaged in global and regional organisations such as the United Nations, African Union, Non-Aligned Movement, Francophonie, and East African Community.
Given this, President Ndayishimiye’s visit is expected to be a catalyst for unlocking untapped cooperation potential, Huyen noted./.
