FOREIGN TRADE: JULIEN PALUKU SEEKING THE RATIFICATION, BY THE DRC, OF THE WTO AGREEMENT ON TRADE
The Minister of Foreign Trade, during the 44th meeting of the Council of Ministers, requested the ratification, by the DRC, of the agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) of which the country has been a member since January 1, 1997. Evoking the importance of this ratification, Julien Paluku Kahongya noted that the DRC has already gradually adhered to the main legal instruments of this organization over time, while deploring the non-ratification, to date, in particular those relating to trade facilitation and fishing subsidies.
These agreements, said Julien Paluku, carry major challenges for the Congolese economy, particularly with regard to its diversification, industrialization and stimulation of foreign investment.
Minister Paluku particularly highlighted the fact that the ratification of the WTO agreement on trade facilitation represents a structuring reform for the economy in that it would make it possible to modernize its foreign trade and position it as a regional logistics platform.
This ratification should also allow the DRC to increase its competitiveness, diversify its exports and strengthen its administrative and institutional capacities.
At the end of these explanations, the Council of Ministers took note of the request from Julien Paluku.
