A meeting of high-ranking representatives of these organizations was held in the capital of Congo under the leadership of the Minister of Foreign Trade Julien Paluku Kahonga. Key initiatives for the development of the transport network, foreign economic relations, integration in the region and industry were discussed. The reconstruction of customs terminals, the construction of transport highways, the creation of special economic zones and the Tanzania–Burundi–Kindu railway line were on the agenda. The parties agreed to create a stable platform to simplify obtaining the necessary financial resources, which is important for the modernization of the economy.
The central element of the Kinshasa meeting was the interaction between Minister Julien Paluku Kahongi, who is also the President's personal representative to the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAL), and Mohamed Cherif, ADB's Deputy Director General for Central Africa. Experts from various ministries and departments participated in the discussion. This round of consultations followed a meeting on June 4 in the capital of Côte d'Ivoire, where Julien Paluku Kahongi held talks with ADB Vice President Salomon Quainor.
The consultations focused on attracting investments for priority infrastructure projects. The modernization of cocoa production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the creation of modern single-window border crossings and their digitalization at Kasindi, Kasumbales and Lufu points, as well as the construction of a highway from Kasindi to Zongo via Beni, Komanda, Mambasa, Bafwasende, Kisangani, Dulia, Aketi, Lisala and Gemena were discussed.
Special attention was paid to the planned Tanzania–Burundi–Kindu railway, which will eliminate the logistical isolation of the central territories by providing access to the Indian Ocean through the port of Dar es Salaam.
The creation of special economic zones along the Lobito and Banana highways with their subsequent transformation into industrial axes was also discussed. The programs for the development of urban transport in the capital and the construction of a combined automobile and railway bridge across the river between Kinshasa and Brazzaville were considered.
According to the participants, ADB and AUDA-NEPAD will be officially notified in the near future to review all projects submitted to the ACGT in order to identify financing mechanisms that can accelerate their implementation. This approach is in line with the Government of the Congo's desire to strengthen the transport, trade and industrial infrastructure that is considered essential to support the DRC's economic growth and regional integration.
Comments (0)