President Luong Cuong hosts welcoming ceremony for Burundi President

President Évariste Ndayishimiye's visit comes as the two countries look towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (April 16, 1975 - April 16, 2025).

The visit is a historic milestone in the relationship between the two countries, demonstrating the desire to further strengthen friendly and cooperative relations in the fields of politics, economics, trade, culture and society.

President Luong Cuong and Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye review the honor guard (Photo: Thanh Dong).

Vietnam and Burundi have many similarities in history and culture, having both experienced resistance against colonialism. Burundi leaders consider Vietnam an example in the struggle for national liberation as well as in building and developing the country.

Over the past half century, the two countries have maintained good friendship and cooperation through both Party and State channels. The two sides always attach importance to bilateral relations and increase exchanges of high-level delegations and contacts at all levels.

The two countries regularly coordinate and support each other at the United Nations forum and international organizations.

Vietnam and Burundi have great potential for cooperation, although trade turnover between the two countries will only reach over 2 million USD in 2024.

Vietnam mainly exports to Burundi machinery, equipment, spare parts, computers, and component products (about 1 million USD); imports from Burundi ore, some minerals, and animal feed (about 1 million USD).

President Luong Cuong and Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye (Photo: Thanh Dong).

A highlight in the cooperation between the two countries is the investment project of the Military Industry - Telecommunications Group (Viettel) in the Burundi market.

Viettel has invested in Burundi since 2013 in the form of a joint venture, in which Viettel holds 85% of the charter capital, the joint venture partner is a Burundian individual (representing the Burundian Government) and later the shareholder Digital Network Alliance Partners holds 15%.

In June 2015, Viettel - Burundi joint venture officially launched a mobile network across Burundi under the brand name Lumitel.

On the other hand, with the advent of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2021, Vietnam's trade exchange with the African market is and will increase significantly in the coming time.

After the welcoming ceremony, President Luong Cuong and President Évariste Ndayishimiye had a small meeting, then the two countries held talks, assessed the results of cooperation between the two countries in the past time, and proposed directions for cooperation in the future.

The two leaders will also witness the signing of cooperation documents.

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-chu-tri-le-don-tong-thong-burundi-20250404105553806.htm