30 Chinese business leaders on an exploratory mission to Congo

These business leaders, representing about twenty companies located in several sectors had a working session with their Congolese counterparts, under the auspices of the Minister of State, Minister of Economy, Industry and Public Portfolio, Gilbert Ondongo. They came to learn about the business environment in Congo, learn about investment opportunities in this country they did not know before, but also to establish contacts that can lead to agreements. During a question-and-answer session, both expressed their expectations, discussed the pitfalls they observed and displayed their willingness to act together, to bring cooperation between China and Congo at a higher level.

Opening the proceedings, Gilbert Ondongo revisited the cooperation between the two countries in broad outline; cooperation whose first marks date back to 1964. Several achievements in Congo furnished this cooperation worthy of praise: the dam of Moukoukoulou, the textile factory of Kinsoundi, the Chacona shipyard, the fish drying plant of Mossaka, the Bétou match factory and, more recently, the Makélékélé, Talangai, Owando, Loandjili hospitals, as well as the construction of numerous roads, particularly the one between Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville, dams and other school infrastructures. Since 2010, Congo has become China's largest trading partner in French-speaking Africa, in addition to being the only country in this space to house a bank with Chinese capital: BSCA, a universal credit institution.

In terms of trade, from 2012 to 2013, trade between the two countries went from 5.8 billion US dollars to 6.5 billion US dollars. The volume of these exchanges reversed from 2014, due to the sharp decline in the share of crude oil returning to the state, which was largely exported to China. Today, the will of both Congo and China, is to expand the range of goods and services traded. China's commitment to accompany Congo in the construction of the Pointe-Noire Special Economic Zone perfectly integrates this logic and could strengthen the vocation that our country wants to give itself, that of exporter of manufactured products.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Gilbert Ondongo indicated the expectations of his country, hoping that the Council for the promotion of South-South cooperation encourages Chinese entrepreneurs to come in large numbers in Congo, develop, in partnership with Congolese companies or with Congolese State, agriculture in the broad sense, all forms of industry and commerce. To this end, the Investment Promotion Agency and the South-South Cooperation Promotion Council, whose missions converge towards the same objective, have been instructed to find the right strategy to promote Chinese investment in Congo and promote partnerships between Chinese and Congolese entrepreneurs.

Through their presentations, Chinese operators who succeeded one another in the forum showed interest, if not their commitment to invest in Congo in the most varied fields (agriculture, renewable energy, industry, civil security, and environment). The many natural potentialities, the stability of the country's institutions, and the foundations of an already strong cooperation are all elements that justify the choice that these investors have on Congo. In particular, the president of the Council for the Promotion of South-South Cooperation, Lyu Xinhua appreciated the business climate in Congo which he considers as an incentive, despite some weaknesses. However, the Chinese businessman urged the government of Congo to work to improve the climate for the benefit of all. But, he particularly encouraged both countries to conclude the agreement of non-double taxation, this agreement of establishment which offers many advantages to the investors, according to sectors of activities. Speaking of the respect of the environment which his country is often accused of violating, Lyu Xinhua pointed out the presence in his delegation of two entrepreneurs established in this sector and who are ready to bring their expertise to Congo, which is evidence to the contrary of what some people think of China in terms of compliance with environmental standards.

For the most part, Congolese economic operators wanted to benefit from the Chinese experience, at the same time they suggested that their Chinese counterparts invest in agribusiness and help create value chains in several sectors.

J.D.