The Democratic Republic of the Congo participated in the 2026 Public Forum of the World Trade Organization (WTO), held from 15 to 17 September in Geneva, Switzerland. On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya, presented several reforms undertaken by the Congolese government to strengthen the resilience of the economy, improve governance of the mining sector and facilitate trade.
Strengthening local capacities in the face of crises
Speaking on Wednesday, 16 September in two panels devoted to the crisis in Hormuz and the protection of vulnerable economies, as well as to services and the sustainable exploitation of mines in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Julien Paluku called on these economies to strengthen their capacities and local initiatives.
The Congolese minister notably mentioned the consequences of tensions in the Middle East and the potential disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic corridor for global energy transport. He also stressed international trade tensions and the risks they pose to supply chains.
For the DRC, strengthening local capacities thus appears as a lever enabling it to better absorb external shocks and consolidate the country’s participation in international trade.
Traceability and compliance of minerals
On the mining sector, Julien Paluku presented the measures taken by the DRC to improve governance and strengthen the compliance of mining products with the requirements of international markets.
He notably cited mechanisms related to the traceability of supply chains and measures aimed at combating the presence of children and women at mining sites. These reforms are part of an approach aimed at strengthening the credibility and acceptability of Congolese minerals on international markets.
The minister also stressed the importance of services in the valorization of mining resources. Geosciences, logistics, certification and financial services are among the sectors called upon to further support the mining value chain.
Digitalization at the service of foreign trade
The DRC is also relying on dematerialization to facilitate foreign trade operations. The minister presented the progress made in the digitalization of pre-customs clearance, customs clearance and post-customs clearance procedures.
Among the innovations cited is the electronic transmission of the documentary file of the Integrated Single Window for Foreign Trade (GUICE) to SYDONIA World, the computer system used by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDA).
Julien Paluku finally mentioned the Trade Information Portal (PIC), designed to facilitate access to information relating to foreign trade procedures.
Through these various reforms, the DRC intends to improve its trade environment, strengthen the transparency of its exchanges and better position its mining resources in a context of transformation of world trade.
Héritier Maila / Deskeco
Keywords: DRC, WTO, Julien Paluku, mining sector, traceability, foreign trade, GUICE, DGDA, SYDONIA World, digitalization, LDCs.
Photo: https://journaldesnations.net/forum-economique-rdc-royaume-uni-julien-paluku-appelle-les-entrepreneurs-congolais-a-venir-avec-des-projets-bancables
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