DRC deploys mission to resolve Douala-Bangui-Zongo transit obstacles

Julien Paluku Kahongya, the Minister of Foreign Trade of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has deployed a multisectoral mission to investigate and resolve obstacles along the Douala-Bangui-Zongo trade corridor.

The mission aims to address complaints from economic operators regarding high costs attributed to alleged "double customs clearance" practices, which delay both imports and exports. The delegation includes experts from several agencies, including the National Agency for the Promotion of Exports (ANAPEX), the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA), and the Congolese Agency for Large Works (ACGT).

The mission began in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with consultations involving Cameroonian trade and customs administrations. Following discussions in Douala regarding logistics chains and customs services, the delegation moved to Bangui, Central African Republic. The mission is scheduled to conclude in Zongo, DRC, with an assessment of the border post to improve corridor fluidity and competitiveness.