To this end, the Congolese Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya, announced that he had initiated measures to put an end to the perception deemed illegal of US dollars per tonne on agricultural products intended for export, practiced by the Congolese Office ofControl (OC).
This tax, which can reach between 150 and 300 dollars per vehicle, had however been officially removed by the ministry in a letter dated February 7, 2024. Its persistence had aroused strong complaints from the Congo Companies Federation (FEC) – Beni – and the association of cocoa and coffee exporters.
Wishing to strengthen the improvement of the business climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), recently engaged in the implementation of the exchange agreement for the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Minister asked the Director General of the WOT, ÉtienneTshimanta, to provide explanations within seven days on the maintenance of this practice contrary to the law.
This decision was welcomed by professional organizations, which see it as a strong signal in favor of the transparency and competitiveness of Congolese exports.
Alpha Nyembo/ Cellcom
