Memorandum of Understanding Between the COMESA Competition Commission and the Ministry of Trade, Transport, Industry and Tourism of Burundi
February 2nd, 2023 Meti DisasaOn 27 January 2023, the COMESA Competition Commission (“CCC”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’) with the Ministry of Trade, Transport, Industry and Tourism of Burundi.
The goal of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the two institutions in the areas of competition and consumer protection enforcement in Burundi and in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (“COMESA”) region.
In his remarks, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the CCC, Dr. Willard Mwemba, thanked the Honourable Minister Marie Chantal Nijimbere, the Minister of Trade, Transport, Industry and Tourism of Burundi for her support, guidance and leadership which has been instrumental in enabling the collaboration between the two institutions to crystallise into an MoU. He recognized that the MoU will deepen collaboration between the two institutions.
The Director & Chief Executive Officer also highlighted that the two institutions have developed a Work Plan to facilitate the implementation of the MOU which will enhance collaboration on; training of relevant stakeholders on competition and consumer protection issues; possible budgetary support which will enable activities such as translation of competition and consumer protection materials for purposes of use by the stakeholders in Burundi, and; development of a roadmap to support the enactment of the Decree relating to the establishment, organization and operationalization of the Competition Authority of Burundi.
In her remarks, Honourable Marie Chantal Nijimbere, thanked the CCC for the continued support towards competition enforcement in Burundi including technical assistance which has involved capacity building of the staff of the Ministry and various stakeholders in Burundi. The Minister noted that the MoU will facilitate exchange of information between the Ministry and the CCC. Further that the MoU will facilitate cooperation on enforcement against anti-competitive conduct thus contributing to the economic growth of Burundi and ultimately the COMESA region.
The CCC looks forward to working with the Ministry of Trade of Burundi in implementing the MoU for the benefit of the citizens of Burundi and the common goal of the COMESA region.
Meti Demissie Disasa
Registrar
COMESA Competition Commission
5th Floor-West Wing, Kang’ombe House
P.O. Box 30742, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Office Phone: +265 (0) 1 772466
Email: mdisasa@comesa.int or compcom@comesa.int