(Ecofin Agency) - Following the 7th Summit Conference of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) between both countries, held July 27 in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso signed four cooperation agreements in audiovisual, digital economy, youth and women sectors.

As far as the digital economy and postal services are concerned, cooperation will enable parties to share experiences and interconnect electronic communication utilities. Meanwhile, Youth-centered agreements focuses on operationalizing the two countries Amity and Cooperation Fund for Youth Integration (FACIBIJ) which is estimated at CFA200 million (about $350,000), each country providing CFA100 million (about $175 000).

Another agreement concerns the implementation of the Amity and Cooperation Fund for women empowerment (FACIBF) which requires CFA 250 million (around $445, 000) from each country annually. The latest agreement in audiovisual sector targets co-production, training as well as film and audiovisual exchanges.

Signed in 2008, the TAC has helped achieve many projects including the Yamoussoukro-Ouagadougou highway, work on which began in October 2017. As well, it has enabled road fluidity on the Abidjan-Ouagadougou Corridor.

However, progress has been slow on some projects, such as increasing power supply in Burkina Faso to 90MW by the end of 2018, the refurbishment of the Abidjan-Kaya railway line and the management of the evacuees from Mount Peko, among others.

Let’s note that trade between Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso increased by more than 25% from CFA256 billion (about $456 million) in 2013 to CFA320 billion (about $570 million) in 2017.