Ouagadougou: The 2nd edition of the Regional Logistics Days (JRL) concluded on Saturday after a three-day event featuring discussions among logistics chain actors and international trade representatives from several countries in the sub-region. The event ended with recommendations aimed at streamlining transport corridors and enhancing logistics competitiveness.
According to Burkina Information Agency, participants emphasized the need for sustainable streamlining of transport corridors by tackling red tape, induced costs, and bottlenecks that inflate logistics costs. They advocated for the acceleration of the digitalization of port, customs, and transit procedures to minimize delays and enhance transparency. Additionally, there was a call to strengthen the Observatory of Abnormal Practices to better monitor corridor malfunctions.
Seydou Tou, the Director General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burkina Faso (CCI-BF), presided over the closing ceremony and expressed satisfaction with the quality of discussions and the participants' commitment to addressing regional logistics competitiveness challenges. He noted that the discussions underscored significant issues, including corridor performance, transit and customs procedure facilitation, and requirements related to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Seydou Tou highlighted that logistics has evolved beyond a mere trade support function, now serving as a strategic tool for economic sovereignty, regional integration, and the structural transformation of economies. Mahamoudou Sanogo, the Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mali, praised Burkina Faso's initiative, expressing hope that the meeting's recommendations would sustainably enhance the regional logistics system.
Soumala Seybou, chairman of the monitoring and management committee for the corridors of the UEMOA Regional Consular Chamber, emphasized that logistical performance is a shared responsibility among all chain actors. In concluding the proceedings, Seydou Tou reaffirmed Burkina Faso's commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at bolstering the country's economic competitiveness and logistical sovereignty.