Kasulu District Commissioner Danhi Makanga
The two countries have also agreed to establish immigration, police
posts and banks at various border points as necessary facilitation to
ease movement of people between the two countries.
The development comes as the two countries reaffirm their
commitment to strengthen bilateral relations particularly in the areas
of agriculture and commerce in a bid to boost the economies of the two
countries.
The cooperation is also meant to strengthen social relations between the two whose people share the same culture and customs.
The agreement was reached during a recent ‘good neighborhood
meeting’ in the border region of Kigoma and which was hosted by Kigoma
regional authority and attended by authorities from at least four
regions of Burundi.
During the meeting a number of issues were discussed including the
need to put in place deliberate strategies to improve the economy of the
partner regions.
Speaking on behalf of the regional commissioners of Ruyigi, Rutana
and of Burundi, Mkamba Regional Commissioner also of Burundi, Nduwaywi
Gilbert, said they have agreed to among other things, tighten security
at all boarder points.
He said security is an integral part of trade and if traders from
the two countries are to operate freely then they must be protected.
Kasulu District Commissioner Danhi Makanga, speaking on behalf of
Kigoma regional authority said Tanzania welcomes the initiative for the
benefit of both countries citing long standing good relations.
Crop traders in Kigoma have welcomed the initiative but called on
for the harmonisation of taxes if the cooperation is to bring any
meaningful improvement to the economies of the people of the two
countries.
One of the traders Gabriel Ndamuyazwe said currently they are
paying between 7000/- and 20,000/- as levy for exporting one sack of
maize to Burundi, which he said is too much.
