Introduction

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with a total area of 2,345,410 square kilometres, is situated in central Africa. It shares its borders with Angola, Zambia, Burundi, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and the Central African Republic as well as the Republic of Congo. The country’s capital city is Kinshasa and other important cities include Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi and Kisangani. An international port is situated at Matadi on the Congo River.

The climate of DRC is tropical being hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; and, cooler and wetter in eastern highlands. North of Equator the wet season is between April and October and the dry season is between December and February. South of Equator the wet season is between November and March, with the dry season between April and October.

The country was racked with conflict for four years. The DR Congo Government, rebels and opposition parties signed a peace accord in December 2002 to end four years of civil war.

The DRC has the third largest population, and the second largest land area in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is rich in natural and human resources, including the second largest rain forest in the world, fertile soils, ample rainfall, and considerable and varied mineral resources. Historically, mining of copper, cobalt, diamonds, gold and other base metals, zinc, and petroleum extraction accounted for about 75 percent of total export revenues, and about 25 percent of the country’s GDP. The country’s formal economy however, has virtually collapsed in the last few decades due to instability. Per capita GDP in the 1980s was only a third of that in 1962, and it declined even further in the 1990s.

The stabilization measures launched by the Government in May 2001 have been successful in breaking the spiral of hyperinflation and currency depreciation. Hyperinflation has been broken, and the exchange rate has stabilized. The liberalization of prices has resulted in increased availability of food products in major cities. Government revenues have increased and significant steps have been taken to centralize expenditures and improve budget execution.

Still, despite these initial successes, and partly because of the absence of substantial external financial assistance, the Congolese economy continued its downward slide and the overall growth remained negative in 2001. Signs of recovery are noticeable however, and growth is expected to be 6 percent in 2003. This growth could be fuelled by recovery in three sectors – mining, export agriculture and forestry – where the DRC has important comparative advantages.

Investment Climate

There are vast investment and business opportunities in DRC. Re-building and/or repair of roads, railways, river ports, telecommunications systems represent but a few. The mining, agricultural and forestry sectors represent great potential to future investors.

Dr Congo – India Relations 

Throughout the years of conflict, the Democratic Republic of Congo was represented in India by a Charge d’ Affairs. DRC and India have kept close relations and solidarity in the international arena, within the United Nations, G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement to promote a better world and better relations between nations based on peace and justice. It is the will of DRC President H.E. Mr. Joseph Kabila and his Government to further reinforce ties with the Government of India leading to mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, cultural and economic sectors.

DR Congo Country Data