Singapore Cooperation Enterprise Partners the United Nations Development Programme to Share Singapore’s Urban Planning Expertise with the Republic of Burundi
A tripartite Agreement was inked between the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Republic of Burundi today in its capital City in Bujumbura, for the provision of urban planning and advisory services.
The Agreement was signed by its three key representatives – Mr. Kong Wy Mun, Chief Executive Officer of SCE, Mr. Jean Claude Nduwayo, Minister of Water, Environment, Land Management and Urban Planning, Republic of Burundi; and Mr. Xavier Michon, UNDP Country Director of Burundi.
This Agreement falls under the ambit of the Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration that was signed by the three parties, following a high-level visit of senior government officials from the Republic of Burundi to Singapore in May 2014. Under the concluded Agreement, SCE would offer urban planning expertise from Singapore supported through the UNDP to facilitate a transformative master-plan for Bujumbura – Burundi’s Capital city.
Bujumbura is the most rapidly urbanizing city in Burundi, and the Government of Burundi aspires to transform the city into a dynamic regional business and trade centre with orderly urban development.
The Government of Burundi had previously witnessed the successful implementation of urban master plans done by SCE for its neighboring country of Rwanda, and sought to replicate the success in its Capital City of Bujumbura. For Rwanda, SCE had worked with its Singapore partner, Surbana, a leading consultancy that specializes in sustainable urban solutions, to carry out detailed plans for 5 districts in the City of Kigali.
Under the Agreement, SCE will share Singapore’s urban developmental experience and expertise with the capital City of Bujumbura. The project will span over 18 months, which would include 12 months of Master Plan preparation and 6 months of capacity building, where SCE would conduct knowledge transfer of best practices in urban development with the Burundian Government’s urban planning team to successfully implement the Master Plan.
Speaking at the signing ceremony today, Mr. Kong Wy Mun, Chief Executive Officer of SCE said,
“SCE is exceedingly happy to be a partner to the Republic of Burundi and UNDP for this project. We are humbled to understand that the Government of Burundi had acknowledged Singapore’s contribution to its neighboring country, Rwanda, and would like us to replicate its success in Burundi. We are happy to offer expertise from Singapore and be part of Burundi’s urban development story. More importantly, this partnership represents a new milestone in engagement for Africa, where Burundi represents the 11th country that SCE has started projects with and serves as another step towards strengthening bilateral ties between Singapore and the Africa continent.”
Mr. Jean Claude Nduwayo, Minister, Republic of Burundi said,
“The City of Bujumbura is facing a rapid urbanization and this future Master Planning will improve the lives of the people of Bujumbura.”
Mr. Xavier Michon, Country Director UNDP said,
“The transfer of knowledge and expertise from Singapore will help to raise the standard of human development and create a peaceful harmony between the community in Burundi and its urban surroundings.”
In conjunction with Mr. Kong’s trip to East Africa, Singapore Cooperation Enterprise also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 8th July 2014 with the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda to share Singapore’s experience in the areas of infrastructure development and to provide consultancy on institutional framework.
Issued by SCE
