Minister Fast Visits Companies Financed Through Développement international Desjardins in Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, visits the premises of Koyenga and GSC International, two companies financed through Développement international Desjardins [Desjardins international development] (DID) as part of its development work in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. DID employs approximately 200 people on projects in 20 countries.

Koyenga specializes in the packaging of drinkable water and employs some 150 people. GSC International focuses on the manufacturing of aluminum products and employs approximately 50 people. Women account for almost 50 percent of staff at the two businesses.

After 10 years and a first loan of $3,000, the two businesses now have a combined annual turnover of nearly $5 million. Their success offers real opportunities for technical innovation and more growth. For instance, expansion projects for the packaging of drinkable water and fruit juices are under way in Togo and Ghana.

Minister Fast is visiting Burkina Faso from June 18 to 19, 2014. He will continue his 10-day, four-country visit to Africa by visiting Madagascar and then leading 26 delegates from 19 organizations on a trade mission to South Africa and Tanzania, from June 22 to 27, 2014.