The IMF said Burundi's annual economic growth should average 4 percent over the next three years, provided the country remains politically stable. The growth will be underpined by continued reforms in the coffee sector, which is the main foreign exchange earner and employer, more aid-financed investments and the advantages of joining the regional East African Community bloc. "Provided the security and political situation continues to improve, Burundi's medium-term economic outlook looks positive," the IMF said. It also expects growth to moderate at 3.5 percent this year after expansion of 4.5 percent in 2008 that followed a good coffee harvest and donor-funded projects. The IMF said to avoid squeezing domestic funding for priority areas, election funding should be sourced from external sources. Burundi will hold presidential and parliamentary polls next year the financing of which is estimated at 3 percent of the GDP. (Reuters)
