WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(03)/ST/133
13 September 2003
(03-4925)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fifth Session
Cancún, 10 - 14 September 2003Original:  French
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Statement by H.E. Mr Roger Lumbala
Minister of Foreign Trade
The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which I have the great honour to
represent before this distinguished assembly, expresses its heartfelt thanks to the Government and
people of Mexico for the warmth of the welcome extended to my delegation and to myself.
My Government's thanks also go to the Director-General of the WTO for having chosen such
an ideal setting as Cancún for the current meeting.
The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the WTO, he ld in Doha in 2001, resulted in the launching
of a new round of multilateral trade negotiations, which are due to conclude on 1 January 2005.  For
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Cancún Ministerial Conference, which marks the half-way
point in this Round, is a complex exercise that is decisive for its integration into the global economy.
Being aware of the benefits which a negotiatin g forum on international trade could yield, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo hastened to accede to the WTO in January 1997.
Since then, it has made determined efforts to implement both the multilateral agreements
aimed at enhancing trade liberalization and those intended to protect consumers.
In conformity with the Uruguay Round Agreements, my country has regularly introduced
tariff reductions, particularly on capital goods and imported food products, but following a longperiod of political instability as a result of the civil war, it is no longer the strong presence on foreign
markets that it was formerly when it exported:
- Copper;
- gold;- diamonds;
- cobalt;
- uranium;
-c o f f e e ;
- cacao;-p a l m  o i l ;
- and many other resources that had previously been a source of pride.
In accordance with the WTO's guidelines and the relevant recommendations of the
International Organization for Standardization addressed to developing countries, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo has organized is preshipment inspection system in order to:WT/MIN(03)/ST/133
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- Prevent evasion of customs duties;
- give the population the best quality-price ratio;
- husband our scarce currency resources.
Our country has eased its trade regulations, particularly as regards the granting of licences and
import declarations.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has introduced an investment code that could be
considered one of the most liberal and one that offers the most incentives.  It is my pleasure to
announce to this distinguished assembly that my country is among those which already apply the
Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of th e GATT as this new legislation has just been
adopted by Parliament and enacted by the Head of State.
The reason we have laid particular emphasis on our action in implementing several WTO
Agreements is to underline the urgent need to put the Doha programme into effect in order to take
proper account of the special concerns of the least-developed countries, namely:
• Special and differential treatment;
• access to medicines;
• implementation of the Marrakesh Agreements.
For a country in a post-conflict situation such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
special and differential treatment should not only be applied with a view to market access, but
primarily and above all with a view to boosting production, a sine qua non condition for creating
wealth, without which there can be neither trade nor economic growth.
Even though there is indisputably a link betw een trade liberalization and economic growth,
our immediate expectations concern strengthening and diversification of:
− Production capacity;
− technical assistance;
− reduction of the external debt;
− transfer of technology;
− support for the rehabilitation and development of infrastructure.
In fact, we are seeking greater collaboration between the WTO and the Bretton Woods
institutions in formulating economic policies at the global level.
Regarding access to our markets by foreign products, in accordance with the Doha master
plan, we demand full latitude to determine the pace and timetable for liberalization.  The
commitments must be adapted to the situation and to the special needs of industrial or business sectors
in each country concerned.
We want to see consideration given to the impact of large tariff reductions on government
revenue in countries that are highly dependent on such income.
We of course support the initiative by our fellow countries in Africa regarding the sensitive
issue of cotton.  If the subsidies that are dangerou sly distorting competition for poor countries are not
eliminated, at least secure compensation mechanisms should be introduced.WT/MIN(03)/ST/133
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As we do not only have expectations but also real reasons for satisfaction, we welcome the
side-stepping of the TRIPS Agreement with the flexible concession obtained on access to essential
medicines for countries with few financial resources and little production.
To conclude, the Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomes and wishes every success to
Nepal and Cambodia, which have just joined the extensive WTO family.
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