RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/G/240 
20 October 2010  
 
(10-5376) 
Trade Policy Review Body Original:   French 
   
 
  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
Report by the 
 
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE 
CONGO 
 
 
  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism 
(Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade 
Organization), the policy statement by the Democratic Republic of the Congo is attached. 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circ ulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 3 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
  Page 
I. INTRODUCTION 4 
II. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CONGOLESE ECONOMY 5 
(1) A N ENCOURAGING ECONOMIC RECOVERY  5 
(2) B ETTER MANAGEMENT OF MONETARY AND EXCHANGE POLICY  6 
(3) G RADUAL CORRECTION OF EXTERNAL ACCOUNT IMBALANCES  6 
(4) M EDIUM -TERM MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK  6 
III. SOME RESULTS OF THE REFORMS UNDERTAKEN 7 
(1) S TRUCTURAL REFORMS  7 
(i) In the area of trade 7 
(ii) Legal and institutional framework for business 7 
(2) S ECTORAL REFORMS  9 
(i) Financial sector 9 
(ii) Taxation 9 (iii) Agriculture 10 
(iv) Mining 11 
(v) State-owned enterprises 11 
(vi) The industrial sector, SMEs/SMIs, and crafts 11 
(vii) Forestry and the environment 12 (viii) Energy and water 13 
(ix) Telecommunications 13 
(x) Transport 13 (xi) Financial services 13 
(xii) Tourism 14 
IV. PROSPECTS FOR THE CONGOLESE ECONOMY 14 
(1) S
ECTORAL POLICIES  14 
(i) Trade 14 
(ii) Rural sector 15 (iii) Road infrastructure 16 
(iv) Energy sector 16 
(v) Social sectors 17 
(2) S
TRUCTURAL REFORMS  18 
V. INTERNATIONAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS 20 
(1) T RADE NEGOTIATIONS AT THE WTO 20 
(2) N EGOTIATION OF ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS (EPA) 21 
ACRONYMS 23 
 WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
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I. INTRODUCTION 
1. After decades of economic decline due, inter alia , to a number of irrational political and 
economic decisions and aggravated by wars and the insecurity of the 1990s, in 2002 the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) embarked on a process of sustainable democratic transition 
which enabled it to restore the institutions of th e Republic and to put the country on the path to 
reconstruction and modernization. 
2. Since 2001, the Government has undertaken a series of uninterrupted reforms aimed at 
progressively liberalizing of the economy and opening up to international competition. 
3. Through these different reforms, the DRC hopes to regain its place in the multilateral trading 
system by relying on the numerous advantages de riving from its natural resources and the market 
potential provided by its population of more than  60 million and its privileged geographical location 
at the heart of the African continent, at the me eting point of central, eastern and southern Africa. 
4. Accordingly, the Government launched a majo r national reconstruction programme in the 
framework of the Head of State's "Five Priority Wo rk Sites" with a view to restoring and developing 
infrastructure, education and health, creating jobs , and providing access to water and electricity as 
well as housing. 
5. These fundamental objectives form the basis for the action of the Congolese State today, and 
their achievement is the only means of ensuri ng economic recovery and the welfare of the 
Congolese peoples.  In order to meet this enormous challenge of reconstructi on, the Government, with 
the support of its partners, is targeting on the de velopment of private investment by creating a 
business-friendly environment and opening up markets to competition. 
6. Accordingly, the Government adopted its Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy 
Paper (GPRSP) in 2006.  The DRC is currently im plementing the triennial programme for the period 
from July 2009 to June 2012, which was agreed w ith the IMF and is supported by the Poverty 
Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). 
7. It was against this background that on 3 July 2010, the DRC reached the completion point of 
the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.  The triggering of the completion point eased 
the DRC's debt burden by some US$12.3 billion, 11 .1 billion under the Enhanced HIPC Initiative and 
1.2 billion under the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiati ve (MDRI).  The Government intends to invest 
funds made available in socio-economic  activities aimed at reducing poverty. 
8. The trade policy review exercise which the DRC will be undergoing for the first time since its 
accession to the WTO is the clearest sign yet of th e Congolese Government's determination to work in 
favour of open and transparent trade in keeping w ith the commitments undertaken in the framework 
of the multilateral trading system. 
9. This trade policy statement, prepared for the country's first WTO trade policy review, will 
discuss, within the context of the Government 's macroeconomic policie s and prospects, the 
considerable efforts currently under way to provi de the country with a world class business climate 
and to help open up and diversify the economy on the basis of a coherent trade policy. Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 5 
 
 
II. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CONGOLESE ECONOMY 
10. After declining in the 1990's, the DRC's economy has been growing since 2001, albeit not 
enough to combat poverty more effectively. 
11. The DRC's main trading partners are the Eu ropean Union, chiefl y Belgium and France, 
followed by China, South Africa and the United States. 
12. Exports and imports are growing:  the DRC's main exports are copper, cobalt, diamonds and 
wood.  Exports of mining products significantly influe nce the trade balance, wh ich is in structural 
deficit. 
13. Domestic production has clearly suffered from both active and unfair competition from 
finished products originating in countries with lower production costs, or as a result of smuggling. 
14. The reasons for this situation are to be found in the structure of the DRC's foreign trade.  The 
DRC in fact imports manufactured products, foodstuffs and fuel. 
15. Domestic industry's production costs remain high, with the result that its products are not very 
competitive.  It is therefore essential to repair a nd upgrade the often obsolet e production facilities. 
16. The DRC is a predominantly agricultural count ry, but almost all of its traditional production 
and export sectors, if they have not ceased to function entirely, are either stagnating or in decline. 
17. Moreover, almost all traditional products are exported unprocessed, with insufficient added 
value.  This is the result of industrial and agri cultural practices which remain small-scale, lacking 
adequate mechanization, using little fertili zer and with limited financial resources. 
18. The DRC's economy is on the path to recovery.  From 1990 to 2001, the country's 
macroeconomic situation was undermined by socio- political instability, aggravated by looting and 
armed conflict.  The DRC's structural cooperation with the international financial community was 
suspended, and only resumed in 2002 following the successful completion, in 2001, of a 
macroeconomic stabilization progra mme.  Matters have greatly impr oved since then thanks to the 
implementation of fairly rigorous budgetary, mone tary and exchange policies and to a relatively 
favourable international environment. 
(1) AN ENCOURAGING ECONOMIC RECOVERY  
19. From 1990 to 2001, the DRC went through a long period of economic recession with an 
average GDP growth rate of -5.4 per cent.  The eco nomy effectively collapsed, reaching a growth rate 
of -13.5 per cent in 1993.  Meanwhile, current GDP per capita plunged 37.9 per cent from US$204.9 in 1990 to US$127.32 in 2001, and unemp loyment reached about 70 per cent. 
20. But in 2002, with the re-establishment of po litical stability and the revival of multilateral 
cooperation, the Congolese economy started to grow again.  GDP increased by an average of 5.5 per 
cent, driven chiefly by the mining and trans portation sectors as well as communications (thanks 
chiefly to the boom in mobile telephony), whol esale and retail trade, and construction and public 
works. 
21. Foreign direct investment, amounting to  US$1,179,000,000 from 1990 to 2001, and 
US$6,616,400,000 from 2002 to 2009, accounted  for most of the DRC's investment. WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
Page 6 
 
 
(2) BETTER MANAGEMENT OF MONETARY AND EXCHANGE POLICY  
22. From 1990 to 2001, the Congolese currency depreciated sharply, falling 99.9 per cent against 
the US dollar.  This resulted in the extensive dollari zation of the economy that can be seen to this day.  
However, the various measures taken since 2 002 in the framework of the Government's 
macroeconomic policies slowed the depreciation of the Congolese franc against the US dollar to 
57 per cent. 
23. At the same time, the hyperinflation affecting the goods and services market, with an annual 
inflation rate of 752.4 per cent over the same pe riod, has been brought under control.  Average 
inflation has now been reduced to a rela tively sustainable level of 19.2 per cent. 
24. Meanwhile, current GDP per capita increas ed progressively, reaching US$166.5 in 2009, 
while average population growth between 2005 and 2009 was estimated at 3 per cent.  The average 
unemployment rate fell to 48 per cent. 
25. This performance can essentially be explained by the Law of 2001 on the liberalization of 
trade, including the free holding of foreign currency in the DRC, together with the foreign exchange 
control regulations of the Congolese Central Bank ( BCC) enabling trade transactions to be expressed 
and conducted in dollars, plus the stabilization of  political institutions, providing an important 
guarantee for potential investors. 
(3) GRADUAL CORRECTION OF EXTERNAL ACCOUNT IMBALANCES  
26. Between 1990 and 2001, average exports stood at  US$1,696,500,000, while imports stood at 
US$1,538,300,000.  Between 2002 and 2009, they  reached US3,449,400,000 and US$3,687,500,000 
respectively, i.e. a 103.3 per cent increase for ex ports and a 139.7 per cent increase for imports.  
Although the countries of the European Union remain the DRC's main trading partners, there has been 
a sharp increase in trad e with the Asian countries, including China, which has become one of the 
country's main suppliers. 
27. The Congolese economy was successf ul in absorbing the impact of the international financial 
crisis in 2009, when its overall external position im proved in comparison to the preceding year.  The 
current account deficit, after growing considerably  in 2008 to reach approximately 15.9 per cent of 
GDP owing to strong imports and the fall in the prices of the country's main raw material exports (in particular copper and cobalt dur ing the second half of 2009), sh rank in 2009 to approximately 
12.9 per cent of GDP.  This reflects a sharp increase  in emergency international assistance, enabling 
the Congolese authorities to limit the impact of the financial crisis on the economy.  The payment of 
the first instalment of the Chinese loan also  helped to absorb the external shock. 
28. These positive developments, coupled with the increased balance-of-payments support in the 
framework of the IMF support mechanisms, provide d a considerable boost to international reserves 
which now represent the equivalent of 9.1 weeks of non-aid-related imports. 
(4) M
EDIUM -TERM MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK  
29. The Government is aware that economic growth  and poverty reduction require sustained and 
sustainable growth in a stable macroeconomic e nvironment.  Its macroeconomic objectives remain 
those that were agreed in th e framework of its recent agreement with the IMF under the 
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF)  and reaffirmed when the DRC reached its 
HIPC completion point. Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 7 
 
 
30. By the end of 2012, the Government aims to have reduced year-on-year inflation to 9 per 
cent, to have increased the level of international reserves to ten weeks of non-aid-related imports, and 
to have achieved a real GDP growth rate  of approximately 6 per cent per year. 
31. In order to attain these objectives, the Governme nt intends to reduce the internal balance and 
refrain from using Central Bank financing while en larging the fiscal space for the supply of essential 
public goods.  This will be achieved by intro ducing reforms aimed at boosting revenue and by 
rationalizing and prioritiz ing public spending. 
32. The Government will pursue its economic reforms with a view to  promoting the private sector 
as the engine of the Congolese economy, and will also endeavour to improve the composition of 
spending, channelling it towards poverty reduction by pr ioritizing the social sectors, in particular 
health, education and rural development. 
III. SOME RESULTS OF THE REFORMS UNDERTAKEN 
(1) STRUCTURAL REFORMS  
33. In its endeavour to establish, on a permanent b asis, an effective and more competitive market 
economy, the Government has continued to adopt measures designed to reform its trade policy, 
further liberalize economic activities and enhance its dialogue and partnership with the private sector 
and civil society through joint management of the economy, as well as to establish a competitive 
environment in various sectors. 
(i) In the area of trade 
34. The following general points are worthy of note: 
 - Simplification of the customs regime by introducing a four-band system (zero, 5 per 
cent, 10 per cent and 20 per cent); 
  - elimination of quantitative restricti ons on imports, licences and other import and 
export authorizations; 
 
 - freedom to fix prices and profit marg ins in accordance with market forces; 
  - prevention and suppression of anti-competitive trade practices;   - introduction of measures designed to guar antee fairness in commercial transactions, 
in particular through metrology contro ls and a crackdown on discriminatory sales, 
refusal to sell, holding of stocks for speculative purposes and conditional sales; 
  - implementation of legislati on on government procurement; 
 
 - implementation of the computerized customs management system (ASYCUDA) and 
establishment of the single window for cu stoms in Matadi and Kasumbalesa. 
 
(ii) Legal and institutional framework for business 
35. Since 2001, the DRC has been back on the path  of sound, sustained, and sustainable growth, 
having embarked on far-reaching changes in the lega l system which have made it possible to put in WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
Page 8 
 
 
place a legislative and regulatory framework that is  liberal, attractive and geared to promoting an 
environment of competition and competitiveness. 
36. In 2002, the Government secured adoption by th e National Assembly of the new Investment 
Code, the new Mining Code, and the new Forestry C ode, and others.  The sectoral machinery for their 
implementation was put in place, in particular the National Investment Promotion Agency (ANAPI) 
and the Mining Cadastre.  These different codes s ubstantially strengthen the advantages and legal 
guarantees accorded to companies wi shing to invest in the DRC. 
37. As regards legal guarantees speci fically, the DRC is a party to both bilateral and multilateral 
investment guarantee agreements, including: 
 - The New York Convention on the Recogniti on and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral 
Awards, concluded under the auspices of the United Nations; 
  - the Washington Convention establishing the International Centre for Settlement of 
Investment Disputes (ICSID); 
 
 - the Seoul Convention of 11 October 1985 establishing the Multilateral Investment 
Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which is d esigned to guarantee non-commercial risks; 
  - the OHADA Treaty, pursuant to which mode rn, straightforward legal rules based on 
international practice have been drawn up in the field of business law; 
 
 - the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATIA).  38. Thanks to its membership in OHADA, the DRC al so has access to arbitral machinery - both 
ad hoc and institutional - based on the most effective internati onal instruments, such as the 
1985 Model Law on International Commercial Arb itration of the United Nations Commission on 
International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the 1998  Rules of Arbitration of the International 
Chamber of Commerce.  The DRC has institutionalized the trade courts. 
39. Finally, the DRC is a party to the ACP-EU  Partnership Agreemen t of 23 June 2000 which 
provides for arbitration machinery for the settlement  of disputes between the African, Caribbean and 
Pacific States (ACP) and contractors, suppliers or providers of services, linked to 
European Development Fund (EDF) funding. 
40. As regards the legal system, the ongoing work of  recent years has included implementation of 
the following measures: 
 - Adoption of the Penal Code, and its publication on the Government's website; 
 
 - publication of different trade texts and codes:  Larcier Codes; 
  - adoption in parliament of laws on the admi nistration of justice and the organization of 
the Supreme Court and other courts and tribunals. 
 41. The adoption of this array of legal instrume nts reflects the determination of the public 
authorities to further modernize the legal and ins titutional business framework, in order to attract 
investment in an increasingly secure environment. Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 9 
 
 
(2) SECTORAL REFORMS  
(i) Financial sector 
42. With the support of the Central African Ba nking Commission (COBAC), the Government has 
embarked on the organization of staffing and of  the accounting and financial systems of the 
Crédit Foncier  (Land Bank).  On that basis, a number of measures have been taken internally, 
including the introduction of management and pe rformance indicators which have been widely 
disseminated at both branch and directorate leve l;  the preparation of management and audit 
procedure manuals;  and the refocusing of activit ies by prohibiting the opening of new current 
accounts and the granting of overdraft facilities. 
43. In the microfinance sector, following the measu res taken in late December 2005 to secure 
strict implementation of the rules of establishment for institutions in the sector, the authorities took 
the following steps to im prove their supervision: 
 - Increase in the number of inspections  to ensure that certain microfinance 
institutions (MFIs) not authorized to operate were actually closed down; 
 
 - expedited review of the files concerning ne tworks of village banks  to regularize their 
operations; 
  - initiation of the process of evaluating th e net worth and financial viability of the 
508 MFIs authorized to operate
. 
 
(ii) Taxation 
44. Aware of the importance of proper management of government finances for the present and 
future of the DRC, which is emerging from an extended period of legitimacy crisis and armed 
conflict, the Government introduced a Strategic Plan for the Reform of Government Finances (PSRFP) with a dual objective:  (i) to present the vision and objectives of the Government 
with regard to government finances and the main re forms it intends to introduce by 2012;  (ii) to 
provide a useful reference for domestic actors (pub lic sector, private sector, civil society) and for 
development partners so that their respective cont ributions can be made in a coherent framework 
conducive to synergy. 
45. The Government took the appropriate ins titutional measures in 2009 when it set up a 
Steering Committee for the Reform of Public Finan ces (COREF).  The reform is to be implemented 
through a rolling triennial action plan for the period 2010-2012. 
46. In accordance with the commitments entered in to with its Bretton W oods partners and the 
private sector, the Government secured the adoption by Parliament of a new Customs Code, which is 
already in effect following its promulgation by the Head of State on 20 August 2010. 
47. This new customs legislation, which can be described as revolutiona ry, has been entirely 
adapted to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs 
Procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention).  It builds on the efforts to rationalize customs control begun 
in 2003 following the promulgation, in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation, 
of Law No. 009-2003 on customs valuation. WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
Page 10 
 
 
48. However, the application of this law continu es to pose certain problems, not because of any 
lack of political will, but because of the objective limits facing the Customs Administration when it 
comes to adopting the methods prescribed by the WTO. 
49. In spite of the importance of customs revenue in overall government revenue, unlike most of 
the developing countries the DRC has opted for a simplified tariff policy and relatively low tariffs. 
50. The import tariff structure consists of four rat es:  zero per cent, -5 per cent, -10 per cent and 
20 per cent.  As a result, the tariff peak is considerably lower than the WTO bound levels. 
51. It should be pointed out that tariffs are the only form of protection of domestic production.  
This nominal protection involves rates that are fixed taking account of the interests of the local 
industry, infant or otherwise.  It operates at the national level through a commission made up of 
representatives of several sectors, including the producers'  federation, which fixes, within the limits of 
the bound level, the rates to be applied to ensure  that certain branches of national production are 
provided the protection they need in the face of foreign competition, and can thus become 
competitive. 
52. Export tariff policy, on the other hand, is based  on the principle of non-taxation of goods.  
While certain specific products are taxed for economic policy and strategic reasons, the applied rate is 
fairly low, varying from one per cent to ten per cent on an exhaustive list of seven products:  green 
coffee;  minerals and concentrates thereof;  mineral oils;  electric power;  timber logs and 
square-edged sawn wood;  fresh  water;  and metal scrap. 
53. However, as part of the effort to revive expor ts, thought is being given to eliminating these 
duties, particularly in the case of agro-industrial products, in accordance with the guidelines of the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework, validated in June 2010. 
(iii) Agriculture 
54. Thus far, the DRC's agricultural and rural polic y has consisted of reducing by 50 per cent the 
proportion of the population whose income is less than one dollar per day and the proportion of the 
population suffering from hunger, by 2015.  The country is also aiming to achieve sustainable 
agricultural development so as to preserve its pr oductive assets, which form the foundation of its 
economic recovery. 
55. The following objectives are being pursued in this sector:  (i) to improve market access and 
the value added of the country's agricultural prod uction;  (ii) to improve the productivity of the 
agricultural sector:  foodcrops, fruit and vegetabl es, fisheries and livestock;  (iii) to promote 
decentralized financial systems that are in keep ing with the nature of the agricultural sector's 
activities;  (iv) to build up the technical and or ganizational capacity of public and private production 
support institutions;  (v) to encourage the developmen t of self-management structures;  (vi) to support 
the promotion of culture (change of mentalities);  (vii) to improve access to basic social services 
(drinking water, health, education);  and (viii) to improve basic socioeconomic infrastructure. 
56. In order to attain these objectives, the G overnment launched the following reforms:  
(i) restructuring of the central and regional service s of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and 
Livestock;  (ii) reform of the legal framework w ith the adoption by the Se nate of the Agricultural 
Code;  (iii) drafting of the phytosanitary law and the veterinary law;  (iv) decentralization of 
agricultural services with the transfer of skills to th e provinces;  (v) the Agricultural Policy Note;  and 
(vi) with the support of the African Development Ba nk, an in-depth study of the agricultural sector, 
currently under way. Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 11 
 
 
(iv) Mining 
57. The development of the DRC's mining sector is still well below potential.  Thus far, it has 
only contributed marginally to growth.  While the DRC has not yet planned any immediate reforms in 
this sector to deal with the situation, it does ha ve a vision for the period 2010-2015 which sets out the 
steps to be taken in the short, medium and long term .  The purpose of this road map is to ensure the 
development of the mining sector in such a way as to  achieve the best possible socioeconomic results. 
58. Steps will be taken in four areas: 
 - Mineral prospecting and exploitation; 
 
 - the mining sector and sustainable development; 
  - mining activities and improving the welfare of the populations;   - improved management of mineral resources.  (v) State-owned enterprises 
59. The reform of State-owned enterprises has conti nued with the help of the World Bank and the 
International Finance Corporation. 
60. In parallel, the restructuring programme fo r other State-owned enterprises and public 
administrative bodies - which is primarily designed to reduce the financial burden they place on the 
national budget and steer them back to th eir fundamental responsibilities - continued, inter alia , with 
their reorganization. 
61. In order to halt the decline of the Congolese economy, in 2002 the Government launched an 
economic recovery programme, focu ssing its reform efforts on the liberalization of the economy, the 
withdrawal of the State from trading activities, th e development and promotion of the private sector, 
and the strengthening of the Governme nt's power in regulating the economy. 
62. Since 2009, the Prime Minister has signed the decrees transforming companies in the 
State portfolio into commercial companies, public corporations and public services.  The 
Steering Committee for the Reform of State-Owned Enterprises (COPIREP) is working on the implementation of this reform. 
(vi) The industrial sector, SMEs/SMIs, and crafts 
63. The DRC's industry is currently very outward looking.  This phenomenon is particularly 
marked in all of the mining and industrial sectors, and entails financial and te chnological dependence.  
The Government has planned the following priority actions to remedy this situation: 
 - Organization of "industrial zones", "s pecial economic zone s", and "industrial 
corridors", cooperation in developing a general land management plan; 
 
 - promotion of partnership between Congolese and foreign companies;   - rehabilitation or reform of large units;   - ownership of technology and renewal of production facilities; WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
Page 12 
 
 
 
 - diversification of plant location in or der to reduce industrial polarization, with 
activities concentrated in three provinces (53 per cent in the province city of 
Kinshasa, 17 per cent in the province of Katanga, 10 per cent in the province of 
Bas-Congo, and 10 per cent for the remaining eight provinces); 
  - spin-offs in order to benefit from linka ge with industries upstream and downstream 
with a particular emphasis on consumer goods (69 per cent of added value as opposed 
to 31 per cent for supplies and equipment); 
 
 - introduction, approval, dissemination and incorporation of international standards; 
  - development of quality and standards;   - development of marketing, innovation, long-standing competition and industrial 
intelligence; 
  - improvement of competitiveness (defined as being the result of quality, production 
costs and the time required to produce a specific product). 
 
64. The Office for Small and Medium-Sized En terprises of the Congo (OPEC) is currently 
responsible for the Government's policy of sup port for the SMEs/SMIs and the craft industry.  
However, the Government has prepared a dr aft law on support and pr omotion for small and 
medium-sized enterprises and the craft industry, th e road map of which calls for priority action to 
identify all of the small and medium-sized enterpri ses by grouping them according to sector, chamber, 
and trade with a view to creating a national directory. 
65. The Government is currently encouraging the creation of development banks throughout the 
country to help the small and medium-sized enterp rises and the craft industry with loans.  In this 
connection, it plans to create three experimental  handicrafts villages in the economic hubs of the 
DRC, namely the province city of Kinshasa, the city of Lubumbashi and the city of Kisangani. 
(vii) Forestry and the environment 
66. The DRC hosts the second most extensive tropical forest in the world, covering an area of 
145 million hectares, i.e. 62 per cent of the national territory.  The central basin alone, for example, 
has an estimated potential of 60 million hectares of productive forest rich in Wenge and Afromosia, 
both species with a high commercial value. 
67. The process of converting long-standing forestry  permits into forestry concession agreements 
begun in 2008 has helped to bring the number of forestry permits down from 156 to 65 and the total 
area allocated from 22 million to 10 million hectares. 
68. Marking the beginning of the effective impl ementation of the process, monitoring missions 
have been sent to all parts of the forest  area concerned by the governmental decisions. 
69. The affirmation by the DRC of its position and its global role as owner of 60 per cent of the 
forests of Central Africa and 10 per cent of the world's humid tropical forests, and hence of its weight 
in the negotiations to define innovative mechanisms to help with the development of environmental 
services, particularly in connection with the fight against climate change, should ultimately benefit the 
populations concerned (REDD, Trust Funds, etc.). Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 13 
 
 
70. A contract was signed with the specialized international firm, the Société générale de 
surveillance  (SGS), to strengthen the forestry control mechanism with a view to preventing fraud and 
improving governance. 
71. A Sectoral Forest and Environment Programme (PSFE) was adopted with donor support and 
is now up and running. 
(viii) Energy and water 
72. The Government has adopted a national energy action plan for poverty reduction to promote 
access to basic energy services for as much of the popul ation as possible, with a view to achieving the 
Millennium Development Goals.  Similarly, a long-te rm development plan for the electricity sector is 
in the process of being finalized.  The aim here is to facilitate, by 2025, a substantial increase in the 
energy supply by some 49,806.1 megawatts from the current production capacity of 2,516 megawatts, 
to which another 47,290.1 megawa tts will have to be added in order to be able to supply 
approximately 60 per cent of the country, i.e. tw o thirds of the population, providing for both 
population growth and economic development.  The plan fundamentally involves the implementation 
of several large-scale projects in the sector. 
(ix) Telecommunications 
73. The telecommunications sector is the "success st ory" of the decade in the DRC.  Since 2002, 
the Law on Telecommunications has helped to improve the regulatory framework for telecommunication services by introducing major in novations, for example se parating operational and 
regulatory functions, defining the responsibilities of th e minister in charge of telecommunications, 
creating a regulatory authority, establishing a univer sal service and telecommunications development 
fund, and defining the different operator systems applying to services. 
74. The Government would like to improve the business climate by rationalizing the 
radio frequency spectrum and updating telecommunica tions regulations, and to create a high-speed 
national and international infrastructure with uni versal access to information technology throughout 
the territory by improving access to telephone services a nd the Internet in every town with more than 
2,000 inhabitants. 
(x) Transport 
75. The Government adopted a modern transport system based on:  (i) harmonious 
complementarity of different means of transport (p romotion of multimodality);  (ii) a balance between 
private transport and public transport;  (iii) free competition and promotion of private enterprise;  
(iv) maintenance of the public transport service as a b ack-up service;  (v) redistribution of roles at the 
institutional and regulatory levels. 
(xi) Financial services 
76. In conjunction with the reform of State-owned enterprises, the Government also proceeded to 
liberalize the commercial sectors where State monopoli es still existed, the most prominent of which 
was the insurance sector held by the Société Nationale des Assurances  (National Insurance 
Company).  A draft Insurance Code was adopted by the Council of Ministers and submitted to Parliament for adoption.  By endorsing the libera lization of this subsector, the Government has now 
completely opened up the financial sector. WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
Page 14 
 
 
77. Indeed, the DRC's banking sector was liberalized long ago following a series of 
unprecedented reforms which produced the following substantive results: 
 - Restructuring of the banking sector by restoring the banks' solvency, liquidity and 
profitability indicators with a view to placing the sector on a sounder footing; 
 
 - renewal of the legal framework for bank ing activities through reinforced supervision 
and control; 
  - introduction of an accounting guide for credit institutions following an analysis of the 
organizational and financial audits conducted by the BCC;   drafting and promulgation 
of a law to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. 
 
(xii) Tourism 
78. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has cons iderable potential in the tourism area.  The 
country boasts a remarkable biodiversity and several parks inscribed on the World Heritage List.  The 
Congo River itself, the landscapes, the mountains of the East, the lakes, the panoramas and sites, and 
the numerous natural attractions provide the country with a remarkable cultural and artistic wealth.  
Unfortunately, this potential is still tainted by a negative image communicated by the media.  However, the DRC is in the process of building acco mmodation (hotels, lodges, clubs) to international 
standards which will undoubtedly attract tourists. 
79. Efforts to reactivate tourism in 2009 essentially involved: 
 - The development of a preliminary draf t framework law on tourism in the DRC; 
  - the organization of a general stakeholders' meeting on tourism. 
 
IV. PROSPECTS FOR THE CONGOLESE ECONOMY 
80. The Government of the DRC will further pursue st ructural reforms to facilitate private sector 
operations and to promote investment and growth.  This process requires measures to improve the 
transparency of public finances and to curtail the losses of State-owned enterprises and improve the 
services they provide.  To reduce the obstacles to gr owth and improve the business climate, efforts 
will be ongoing to extend financia l intermediation, promote good governance, update infrastructure, 
further improve the regulatory framework in the vital sectors of the economy (in particular, energy, 
transport and forests) and encourage regi onal integration and international trade. 
(1) S
ECTORAL POLICIES  
81. The authorities will continue to implement sectoral strategies in the areas of rural 
development, building and public works, energy, i ndustry, trade and social services.  All of those 
strategies are - or will be - accompanied by a medium-term expenditure framework. 
(i) Trade 
82. In internal trade, the Government will finalize and implement, in collaboration with the 
private sector and civil society, an intern al trade development strategy based on: 
 - Control of distribution channels and th e training/professionalization of the sector; 
 Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 15 
 
 
 - effective implementation of sectoral trade facilitation policies (by reducing road 
checks, harmonizing rules and facilitating procedures etc.); 
  - improved consumer protection; 
 
 - cracking down on quality fraud and smuggling.   At the same time, the authorities 
intend to continue implementing measures to  combat smuggling, forgery, illegal price 
rises and shortages artificially e ngineered for speculative purposes. 
 
83. As regards external trade, the Government's  strategy involves implementing the rules and 
taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the DRC's membership of subregional and 
international bodies such as:  the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the 
Southern African Development Community (SADC),  the Economic Community of Central African 
States (ECCAS), and the World Trade Organization (W TO).  The authorities will also take advantage 
of the fact that the DRC is a contracting party to the Cotonou Agreement of June 2000 and the 
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 
84. In the area of regional integration, the Govern ment will pursue regional negotiations with its 
partners within ECCAS, COMESA and the SADC, with a view to further liberalizing trade in 
accordance with multilateral principles.   To that end, it will endeavour  to honour in full community 
commitments on the facilitation of transport and libera lization of trade, in particular by refraining 
from introducing supplementary import taxes and duties. 
85. More specifically, measures to boost and dive rsify exports will be taken in the following 
areas: 
 - Promotion of the processing of certain products (cotton, fruit etc.); 
  - consolidating traditiona l commercial partnerships; 
 
 - identifying new export markets for new production chains that are potentially 
rewarding for producers (coffee, tea, pineapples, cocoa, manioc, etc.); 
  - winning new markets and promoting a ge nuine and standard-setting 'DRC brand'; 
 
 - expanding exports of so-called ethnic pr oducts, specifically in the direction of 
DRC citizens living abroad.  Particular atten tion will be paid to the development of 
new and modern forms of trade such as:  trade in services, fair trade, trade in 
organically produced products and trade in  products from sustainable agriculture. 
 
(ii) Rural sector 
86. The rural sector continues to be the dominant sector in the DRC's economy, in terms of both 
its contribution to growth and its potential for reduci ng poverty.  To enable the rural sector to play its 
proper part in the country's economic and social de velopment, the authorities have adopted - and have 
been implementing since 2006 - a rural devel opment strategy that covers agriculture, 
livestock breeding, fisheries and forestry. WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
Page 16 
 
 
87. More specifically, in relation to agriculture, the focus will be on supporting private operators 
with a view to doubling agricultural production by 2020, inter alia  by: 
 - Facilitating access to the land for young people in particular; 
 
 - facilitating access to credit by promoti ng microfinance institutions and creating an 
agricultural bank whose facilities will be available to all categories of farmers. 
 88. In relation to livestock and fisheries, the strate gy will continue to be based on improving the 
productivity and competitiveness of the subsectors th at are recognized as being profitable, including 
ruminants, short-cycle livestock breeding, se mi-intensive livestock breeding, non-conventional 
livestock breeding, fisheries and commercial fish-farm ing.  As regards forestry, action will focus on 
the effectiveness of the Sectoral Forest and Environment Programme (PSFE). 
(iii) Road infrastructure 
89. Given the importance of roads in the country's economic and social development process, the 
Government's policy in this area, impl emented as part of the Government's Cinq Chantiers  
programme, hinges on: 
 - Extending the road network, taking acc ount of the requirements of industrialization 
and regional integration policies, service hubs  and the need to redeploy agricultural 
production; 
 
 - rehabilitating the sections of the road network that are in a poor state of repair, and 
regularly maintaining the whole of the network to keep it up to standard; 
  - conducting feasibility studies on the construction of new infrastructure.  90. More specifically, major construction work  will continue, and be completed, on 
infrastructure, including: 
 - Roads; 
  - railways;  
 - ports and airports; 
  - building infrastructure.  
(iv) Energy sector 
91. There is still a substantial shortfall in electri city supply.  To remedy this problem, the 
Government intends finalizing and implementing th e medium and long-term energy plan, which is 
designed to provide electricity in sufficient quantities, of good quality and at a lower cost to households, social services and industry. 
92. In the medium term, the industrial sector is re garded as pivotal in securing growth to reduce 
poverty.  Consequently, with a view to the entr y into force of the EU-ACP economic partnership 
agreements and other subregiona l agreements (COMESA, SADC), one  consequence of which will be Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 17 
 
 
to dismantle customs barriers, the authorities are re lying on being able to offer business in the DRC an 
attractive framework in order to boost both  levels of investment and competitiveness. 
(v) Social sectors 
93. The authorities will continue to implement sectoral  strategies for education, health and social 
development as laid out in the Government's Cinq Chantiers  project. 
94. In the area of health , measures will focus both on improving the provision of care and 
services and on reinforcing the healthcare system.  As regards improving the provision of care and 
services above all, the aim will be: 
 - To take further measures to combat infectious and parasitic diseases, notably 
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as non-transmissible conditions such as 
diabetes, hypertension and cancer; 
  - to continue to improve access to essentia l generic medicines in health centres, at 
subsidized prices. 
 
95. In the area of education , the main focus will be on continuing to expand infrastructure and 
increase teaching staff, by build ing new classrooms and recruiting teachers at both nursery and 
primary, and secondary school level.  In higher e ducation, measures will be taken in the following 
three sectors: 
 - The academic sector, by transition to the LMD (Bachelor's-Master's-Doctorate) 
system, bringing the DRC's universities into line with that international standard; 
  - infrastructure, by building new academic institutions to cope with the huge increase 
in qualified young people wishing to go on to higher education; 
  - the university sector, particularly in relation to accommodation facilities and student 
aid. 
 96. In the other social sectors , there will be a particular focus on promoting employment, 
low-cost housing and the socio-economic integrati on of disadvantaged persons.  In the field of 
employment, the authorities intend: 
 - Finalizing and implementing the national policy document on employment; 
  - drawing up an employment plan for young people, women, the disabled, vulnerable 
groups and the long-term unemployed.  As far as low-cost housing is concerned, the 
main thrust will be to continue building low-cost housing throughout the country as 
provided for in the Government's Cinq Chantiers  project. 
 97. In regard to the socio-economic integration of  disadvantaged persons, it is the Government's 
intention: 
 - To finalize and implement the programmes for the protection of children 
experiencing difficulties; 
 WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
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 - to continue the policy of combating ex clusion by granting public assistance and 
subsidies to institutions that care for the needy, the elderly and marginal groups. 
 
(2) STRUCTURAL REFORMS  
98. The DRC will pursue, and indeed expedite, reforms in relation to public finances, 
State-owned enterprises, governance and the financial sector. 
99. In the area of public finances , in order to boost non-oil revenues, the action to be 
undertaken will include the following administrative measures: 
 - The introduction of VAT:  the ordinance was signed on 20 August 2010 and its entry 
into force is planned before 2012, but in th e meantime the Government is working on 
preparing the regulatory texts, training agents and disseminating the ordinance; 
  - stepping up efforts to combat fraud and smuggling by introducing a computer link 
between the Directorate-General of Taxation and the Directorate-General of Customs and Excise began with the single window of Kinshasa and Matadi, and will soon 
extend to the rest of the country.  In terconnection between the three government 
financial bodies and the Ministry of Finance is also planned; 
  - reducing the number of tax and customs exemptions;  
 - abolishing minimum administrative values for all imported goods; 
  - implementation by the Government of the recommendations of the Tax Commission 
recently set up to reduce obstacles to gr owth and improve the business climate. 
 100. To improve the quality of expenditure , the planned measures will focus on: 
 - Continued adherence to the expenditure chain; 
  - improving take-up capacity for res ources earmarked for public investment, 
particularly resources released as a result of debt relief; 
 
 - guaranteeing transparency in the award of public contracts and compliance with 
requisite procedures. 
 101. As far as State-owned enterprises are concerned , there will be a redoubling of efforts to 
complete the ongoing restructuring. 
102. In the financial sector , the Government's plans are as follows: 
 - Structural reform  will focus on mobilizing inte rnal revenue, improving the 
management of government finances, restructuring and recapitalizing the 
Central Bank of the Congo (BCC), and measures aimed at ensuring strong and sustainable growth. 
 
 - Fiscal policy :  The Government is introducing an action plan to boost the efficiency 
of tax collection and broaden the tax base.  The key element in this programme is the 
introduction, by 2012, of the single-rate  VAT.  Other measures will be taken to Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
 Page 19 
 
 
rationalize tax exemptions, the abundant duties and taxes, and the collection 
procedures.  To complete these efforts, a ne w customs code will be adopted that is in 
line with best international practices. 
 
 - Customs administration :  The Government has undertak en to establish an efficient 
and modern customs administration.  To  that end, it will streamline customs 
procedures in order to reduce the cost s for the private sectors while improving 
internal administration and control to boost revenue.  In order to simplify collection 
procedures, the Government will install si ngle windows at all of the important border 
posts.  In addition, the customs activities of the Congolese Control Office (OCC) will 
be transferred to the Directorate-General of Customs and Excise (DGDA), the only body responsible for customs valuation and collection of all duties and fees.  To 
improve the security of the collection pr ocess, the DGDA, with the help of the 
Government and the development partne rs, will improve the ASYCUDA++-based 
computer systems and extend them to all of the country's customs offices. 
 
 - Tax administration :  The Government intends to in troduce an efficient and modern 
tax administration system.  It will expa nd the network of Tax Centres (CDI) to 
manage the taxation of enterprises th roughout the country, and Synthetic Tax 
Centres (CIS) targeting mainly small and medium-sized enterprises.  The 
development of a comprehensive taxpayer da tabase, combined with the adoption of a 
new single tax identification system (NIF) for businesses will help to improve pre-collection and post-collection contro ls and to expand the tax base.  The 
Government will also strengthen post-collec tion controls by consolidating the audit 
and research functions of the tax departme nt into a single office while improving its 
computer system. 
 
 - Tax collection in the mining sector :  The Government's aim is to boost the weak 
contribution of the mining sector to internal  revenue.  Accordingly, it will strengthen 
the capacity of the Directorate-General of Taxation's Directorate of Large Enterprises (DGE), responsible for revenue collection from the sector, inter alia , by 
cooperating closely with specialized audit firms.  Further, the collection of mining 
royalties and taxes (with the exception of customs duties) will be transferred from the Directorate-General of Administrative a nd Government Property Revenue (DGRAD) 
to the Directorate-General of Taxation (DG I), and the relevant draft tax legislation 
will be submitted to parliament by 2012. 
 
 - Management of public finances :  The Government recognizes the need to improve 
financial management to ensure efficiency  in the preparation and implementation of 
the budget.  During the programme period, it will implement an action plan built on 
the following five strategic pillars:  (i ) modernization of the legal framework, 
including the adoption of the public finance law and the government procurement 
code which has already been promulgated;  (ii) improvement of the annual process of 
preparation of the State budget based on a medium-term expenditure framework which is currently being prepared and will be applied to all Ministries;  
(iii) streamlining of budget execution and cash management to improve the expenditure tracking process and avoid the accumulation of arrears;  
(iv) improvement of the reliability of budge tary execution reports through progressive 
computerization;  and (v) reinforcement of ex ante and ex post budget controls, inter alia  by adopting a draft organic law on the audit office. 
 WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
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103. In the area of governance , the authorities will continue to implement the priority action plan 
for reform of the judicial system.  They will also c ontinue to implement the priority action plan for the 
national governance programme. 
104. To sum up, being aware that the current rate of growth is in itself insufficient to generate the 
resources needed to attain the objectives set out  in the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the 
Millennium Development Goals, the Government has begun the process of revising the GPRSP of 
2006, with a view to producing a second-generation PRSP.  Currently being drawn up, the PRSP will cover a five-year period (2010- 2015) and will be based on: 
 - Consolidating the macroeconomic framework and promoting governance; 
 
 - promoting strong growth th at will generate employment; 
  - mobilizing and promoting human resources.   The primary aim must be to help 
achieve the objectives of the DRC's development vision.  For the next decade (2010-2020), those objectives will be: 
 
• To double per capita income; 
• to reduce inequalities; 
• to reduce poverty. 
V. INTERNATIONAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS 
105. The DRC authorities are aware that internationa l trade can play a major role in fostering 
development and combating poverty.  The DRC is therefore actively engaged in the negotiations 
within the WTO and, in the context of the D oha Development Round and the economic partnership 
agreements with the EU, within the group of Central African countries. 
(1) T
RADE NEGOTIATIONS AT THE WTO 
106. The DRC has many expectations with respect to the Doha Round of negotiations.  It is 
confident that the progress achieved at the Hong Kong  Ministerial Conference will not be called into 
question when the negotiations resume, particularly  in relation to agriculture and Aid for Trade. 
107. The DRC is ready and willing to work with the other WTO Member States to contribute to 
the process of resuming and finalizing the nego tiations under the Doha Development Agenda. 
108. The DRC expects those negotiations to be resumed in a way that reflects the spirit of Doha, 
that is to say by taking into account the interests of the developing countries, through: 
 - Improved market access for their products; 
 
 - balanced rules; 
  - implementation of targeted technical assistance and capacity-building programmes, 
backed by sustainable funding.  The aim he re is to ensure that the developing 
countries secure a share of growth in worl d trade commensurate with their economic 
development needs.  The concept of development must fully embrace the concept of 
special and differential treatment, the corner stone of the Doha structure.  In that Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
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connection, the current round should produce a positive decision that takes account of 
the interests of those developing countri es that do not fall into the category of 
least developed countries (LDCs), but cannot  be categorized as emerging countries. 
 
109. The DRC also accords a great deal of importance to the issue of Aid for Trade which should, 
in particular: 
 - Take the form of predictable and sustainable additional resources; 
  - be provided in the form of grants a nd complement but not replace the development 
pledges entered into by developed countries; 
  - ensure that the general concept of 'capacity building' covers a broader field, including 
both basic infrastructure and trade-rela ted infrastructure, supply issues and 
adjustment costs; 
 
 - be free of any form of conditionality, as th is would stand in the way of its use by the 
countries for which it is intended. 
 110. The question of trade preferences is also im portant for the DRC, which is essentially an 
agricultural county.  Those preferences, which have so far underpinne d the development of 
African countries, cannot be dismantled until ther e has been a transitional period of equivalent 
duration. 
111. As far as NAMA is concerned, the DRC supports: 
 - The phasing out of tariff peaks, tariff escalation and non-tariff barriers; 
  - a degree of protection for the fledgling industries of the developing countries. 
 
(2) N
EGOTIATION OF ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS (EPA) 
112. The DRC is in the process of negotiating an ec onomic partnership agreement with the EU in 
the framework of the Central African region.  Th e countries involved in the negotiations are:  the 
Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, the Central African Repub lic (CAR), Equatorial Guinea, Chad, the DRC 
and Sao Tomé and Principe. 
113. The DRC believes that the EPAs should be incorp orated into the development policies of the 
ACP countries and regions and fully integrated in to the European Union's development cooperation 
policies.  The EPAs should promote sustainable deve lopment, the gradual and harmonious integration 
of the Central African economies into the world economy and the eradication of poverty. 
114. More particularly, the EPAs should ensure: 
 - Promotion of lasting economic growth; 
  - expansion of productive and supply capacity;   - encouragement of the structural transformation of the ACP economies, their 
diversification and support for subregional integration.  This will require both the WT/TPR/G/240 Trade Policy Review 
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establishment of a proper period of transition and asymmetry compatible with 
WTO rules, and genuine attention to the development dimension. 
 115. Regardless of how the cross-cutting nature of the development dimension is interpreted, it 
must, of necessity, include the following aspects: 
 - Reinforcement of overall productive capacity; 
  - reinforcement of export capacity;  
 - capacity to respond to market requirements; 
  - capacity to engage in commercial governance;   - capacity to mobilize development resources, including foreign direct 
investment (FDI). 
 
116. It is important to mention that the DRC n eeds additional resources to cover EPA-related 
adjustment and development costs.  This shoul d also make it possible to ensure that the 
EDF resources currently available are not dive rted from the development priorities of the 
ACP countries and regions. 
117. As regards the additional funding and relevant procedures, the DRC supports: 
 - The idea of setting up Regional EPA Adjustment Funds (FORAPE) administered by 
the regional economic communities themselves, in order to meet the adjustment needs of the individual regions; 
  - the view that the EU Me mber States should undertake to channel the aid funds in a 
coordinated manner through the financial ins titutions for regional development, such 
as the African Development Bank (ADB). 
 118. In the interests of efficiency, the DRC would like to see the EU avoid waiting until the 
year 2010 to achieve the target of €2 billion for Ai d for Trade, since the EPAs are supposed to enter 
into force on 1 January 2008. 
119. In the interests of predictability and transparen cy, it will also be necessary to clarify how both 
the European Commission and the Member States - and indeed the other donors - will contribute to 
the different funds that are to be established. 
120. Again, in terms of strengthening EU interventi on, the DRC would like to see the EU increase 
its support to those countries that are not currently eligible for the budget support mechanism, to allow 
them to meet the eligibility criteria.  The DRC w ould also like to see the creation of a budget heading 
for EPA adjustment in the context of  the budget support assistance modality. 
121. Finally, the DRC wishes to see the introduction of an effective monitoring mechanism that 
operates within the general framework of EU-A CP relations, and also at regional level. 
122. In the circumstances described above, the EPAs would then provide genuine instruments of 
development for the ACP negotiating countries. Democratic Republic of the Congo WT/TPR/G/240 
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ACRONYMS 
 
ACP ADB 
AGOA 
ANAPI ATIA BCC CAR 
CDI 
CIS COMESA COPIREP COREF DGDA 
DGE 
DGI DGRAD DRC ECCAS 
EDF 
EPA EU FDI FORAP 
GDP 
GPRSP HIPC ICSID IMF 
LMD 
MDRI MFI MIGA NAMA OCC 
OHADA 
OPEC PRGF PSFE PSRFP 
REDD 
SADC SGS SME SMI 
UNCITRAL 
VAT WTO African, Caribbean, and Pacific States 
African Development Bank 
African Growth and Opportunity Act 
National Investment Promotion Agency African Trade Insurance Agency Central Bank of the Congo Central African Republic 
Tax Centre 
Synthetic Tax Centre Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Steering Committee for the Reform of State-Owned Enterprises Steering Committee for the Reform of Public Finances Directorate-General of Customs and Excise 
Directorate of Large Enterprises 
Directorate-General of Taxation Directorate-General of Administrativ e and Government Property Revenue 
Democratic Republic of the Congo Economic Community of Central African States 
European Development Fund 
Economic Partnership Agreement European Union Foreign Direct Investment Regional Economic Partne rship Agreement Fund 
Gross Domestic Product 
Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Heavily Indebted Poor Countries International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes International Monetary Fund 
Bachelors'-Masters'-Doctorate 
Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative Micro Finance Institution Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Non-Agricultural Market Access Congolese Control Office 
Organization for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa 
Office for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of the Congo Poverty Reduction Growth Facility Sectoral Forest and Environment Programme Strategic Plan for the Reform of Government Finances 
Reduced Emissions from Defo restation and Degradation 
Southern African Development Community Société générale de surveillance Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Small and Medium-Sized Industries 
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law 
Value-Added Tax World Trade Organization 
 
__________