Economic prospects “worse”

Burundi’s economic prospects have worsened as a result of the ongoing lack of foreign exchange and depressed conditions for the industrial and commercial sectors. A report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) says that furthermore, the government’s regroupment policy has produced “substantial dislocation” in the rural economy. “As a result of this dislocation and worsened drought conditions, the EIU’s earlier forecasts for recovery in the agricultural sector have been downgraded,” it said. A decision to resume international assistance is expected at a meeting of the World Bank in April. EIU warned that the current account deficit will not improve before international assistance is forthcoming.