Boucle du Mouhou regional consultation framework: the Sourou valley at the heart of discussions | AIB

2023-12-12 16:25:51

Regional consultation framework for the Boucle du Mouhoun:lhe Sourou valley at the heart of trade

The actors of the Boucle du Mouhoun held on Thursday, December 7, 2023 in Dédougou, an extraordinary regional consultation framework dedicated to the Integrated Development Company of the Sourou Valley Growth Pole (SOUROUPOLE-SEM).

The Integrated Development Company of the Sourou Valley Growth Pole, a mixed economy company (SOUROUPOLE-SEM) seeks support and enthusiasm from populations and partners in its development strategy for the pole. This is why it included at the center of the regional consultation framework an information workshop which saw the participation of stakeholders from the Sourou valley and nationals of other provinces. The objective of this meeting is to make the potential of the valley better known to all stakeholders in the region.

Thus during the day of this Thursday, December 7, 2023, three communications followed by exchanges were delivered. These include, among other things, the notion of a growth pole, the potential of the Sourou valley, and the prospects and state of construction of SOUROUPOLE-SEM. The Director General of the Sourou Valley, Victor Sawadogo, recalled that the Sourou Valley Growth Pole aims to contribute to increasing economic activity through an increase in private investment and job creation. For him, the hydro-agricultural development zone extends over more than 390 thousand hectares. Nowadays, he indicated, this area has several infrastructures for processing, storage, and marketing of agropastoral products, including 6,558 hectares developed for exploitation. However, he regretted, this remains very low for the needs of the potential of the Sourou pole.

This is why the Director General announced that its structure will give a large place to private investors, producers, small and medium-sized businesses and public institutions responsible for promoting exports and agricultural investments. The objective is to achieve by 2030 a volume of investments of around 120 billion FCFA, the creation of more than 31 thousand direct jobs and the increase in production to 147 thousand tonnes of products per year. The secretary general of the region, Adjara Kientéga welcomed the holding of this consultation framework which helps to raise awareness of the economic environment of the Sourou growth pole, the beneficiaries and the benefits for Burkina Faso.

This is why she invited participants to make observations with a view to improving the implementation strategies of this important development instrument for the region.

Adam SEDGO