Faced with Covid-19, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry is stepping up initiatives to support the fight against this pandemic in Burkina Faso. Indeed, aware of the difficulties experienced by traders due to the closure of markets and yaars following the protection measures taken by the administrative authorities, the consular institution has made available to the Regional Consular Delegations (DCR) located in the 13 regions, an envelope of 105 million CFA francs. This sum is intended for the purchase of health kits for markets and health centers and for the purchase of food for the benefit of the most economically vulnerable traders.

It is in this context that, respectively on April 2 and 3, 2020, the DCRs of Center-South, Center and Hauts Bassins made donation discounts.

In Manga, the ceremony was held in the presence of administrative authorities and representatives of merchant associations. Thus, Mr. Joseph ROUAMBA, President of the DCR du Center-sud gave the Regional Director of Health medical consumables worth one million CFA francs. To actors in the informal sector, he handed over 400 sacks of 25 kg rice worth 04 million CFA francs.

In the Center region, it was the Central City Council of Ouagadougou that hosted the ceremony in which the Governor of the Region, the Mayor of the Municipality of Ouagadougou and representatives of economic actors took part. 100 tonnes of rice worth 30 million CFA francs were handed over by Moussa TRAORE, Vice-President representing the President of the DCR of the Center, Mr. Hamidou OUEDRAOGO.

The beneficiaries' representative praised the tireless efforts of the CCI-BF in the fight against Covid-19 in Burkina Faso. The management of the markets and yaars falling under the competence of the Town hall, the mayor Armand BEOUINDE also translated the recognition of the Municipal council to the CCI-BF while inviting the tradesmen and the whole of the citizens to the strict respect of the protection measures.

With regard to the Hauts Bassins DCR, the momentum of solidarity was printed by Mr. Lassiné DIAWARA, President of said DCR. This enabled, on April 3, 2020, the collection of more than 134 million CFA francs, the fruit of the solidarity and generosity of economic operators in the Region. Thus, a check worth 50 million CFA francs and protective equipment were given to the Regional Committee to fight COVID-19. A voucher for the removal of 200 tonnes of rice was also given in support of traders and taximen affected by the closure of markets and the ban on urban public transport.

At the central level, the CCI-BF, in addition to the 105 million CFA francs intended for the 13 regions, has already made a financial contribution of 50 million CFA francs handed over last Friday March 26 to the Ministry of Health.