UNIDO ITPO Tokyo supported an online seminar entitled “Investment Opportunities in Burkina Faso in a Context of COVID-19 Management“, organized by the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Tokyo on 11 November 2020.
At the seminar opened by H.E. Mr. Pascal Batjobo, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Japan, followed by greetings from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the supporers, the latest business environment and investment opportunities as well as the current situation of COVID-19 and measures in Burkina Faso were presented by the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Japan.
Ms. Inès Bakio, First Counselor explained that the number of COVID-19 active cases had been on a downward trend following government measures taken promptly after the first case was confirmed, however, it has been on the increase again as air borders were re-opened since 1 August. She stressed that long-term measures and strict compliance with protection measures are required, and mentioned the consequences of the current pandemic caused an economic downturn, especially in the agricultural, industrial and service industries.
In response, Mr. Grégoire Kabre, Second Counselor detailed the government’s measures, such as the Economic Recovery Fund with USD 200 million for struggling companies, the Solidarity Fund with USD 10 million for economic actors in the informal sector, tax and custom duty exemptions on pharmaceutical products and equipment used against COVID-19, and support with electricity and water bill payments for vulnerable people, which all came to a grand total of USD 880 million under a supplementary financial law.
H.E. Mr. Batjobo lastly introduced Burkina Faso’s business environment and investment opportunities for Japanese companies in agriculture, livestock, mining, energy, manufacturing, ICT, and infrastructure such as transportation and housing sectors. In addition, he touched upon reforms to encourage more foreign investment – the required minimum capital to establish a local company is USD 860, a company registration process requires 24 to 72 hours, and 100% land ownership is possible for foreigners.
In the question and answer session, the Embassy mentioned Toyota Tsusho and Komatsu as examples of Japanese companies operating in Burkina Faso. They also stated that although the main business relationship with Japan are trading of sesame seeds and automobile parts, they expect more Japanese investors in the various sectors introduced at this seminar.
*Presentation materials can be downloaded through links under the “Programme” below.
Outline
| Date/Time: | 11 November 2020 (Wed)/13:00-14:50 (JST) *Live stream on zoom |
| Organizer: | Embassy of Burkina Faso |
| Supporters: | UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, JETRO, AfDB Tokyo |
| Language: | English (Presentation materials in English and Japanese) |
Programme
Opening Session (Keynote Speech)
13:00 H.E. Mr. Pascal BATJOBO, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Japan
13:03 H.E. Mr. Mikio MORI, Director-General / Assistant Minister (Ambassador),
African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
13:06 Mr. Osamu KUBOTA, Executive Vice President, JETRO
13:09 Mr. Yuko YASUNAGA, Head of UNIDO ITPO Tokyo
Thematic Session
13:12 Thematic Session I
“Situation of COVID-19 in Burkina Faso”
by Ms. Inès BAKIO, First Counselor, Embassy of Burkina Faso
13:32 Thematic Session II
“The National Management Plan of COVID-19”
by Mr. Grégoire KABRE, Second Counselor, Embassy of Burkina Faso
13:52 Thematic Session III
“Investment Opportunities in Burkina Faso”
by H.E. Mr. Pascal BATJOBO, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Japan
Video Footage
14:12 “Invest in Burkina Faso”
Questions
14:17 Q α A and discussions
Closing Session
14:47 Closing Remarks by H.E. Mr. Pascal BATJOBO,
Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Japan
*For the investment climate of Burkina Faso, please click here
.
Contact for inquiries
Embassy of Burkina Faso
Tel: 03-3485-1930 E-mail: faso-amb@khaki.plala.or.jp
