In an endeavour to boost the newly formed alliance with India, Burundi, a country located in East Africa, has expressed a keen interest in enhancing two-way trade cooperation with the country. Indian manufacturing and export-based SMEs which supply kitchenware such as casseroles and cooking pans, among others, stand to gain the most from this alliance because Burundi is keen to import these products from India.

Indian SMEs willing to expand into the said African country can seek to capitalise on the 10 million-strong consumer market in Burundi. It will be interesting to note here that Burundi's Ambassador Rubuka Aloys has issued almost 500 visas to Indians from the time he took office in February 2010, a significant section of which comprised of entrepreneurs interested in investing in the tea and textile sector of Switzerland. Domestic SMEs from these sectors can seek to apply for working visas to Burundi to capitalise on the country’s resources.

This alliance also augurs well for Indian pharma and agriculture-based SMEs because Burundi has displayed keenness in trading in areas such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment and agri sector, which have significant SME-presence.

Incidentally, Burundi is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African countries (COMESA). Indian SMEs planning to expand to Burundi can also gain from the India-COMESA collaborative programmes in areas such as industrial development, pharmaceuticals, leather and trade and industry cooperation agreements, among others.