The industrialization of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is an essential process for the economic development of the country. However, a major problem persists: the energy deficit which hampers the functioning of the industrial sector. To remedy this situation, the President of the Republic, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, gave instructions to the ministers concerned to propose concrete measures to improve access to electrical energy in special economic zones (SEZ).
Aware of the challenges to be met to operationalize the SEZs, the Head of State wishes to guarantee conditions conducive to industrial production. He thus asked the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the National Economy, and the Minister of Electricity and Hydraulic Resources to propose practical modalities for the granting of a preferential rate for electrical energy in the SEZs .
It must be emphasized that relaunching industrialization in the DRC requires substantial resources, and President Tshisekedi recalled the importance of mobilizing the financial means necessary to achieve this ambition. With this in mind, he also asked the ministers in charge of Budget and Finance to finalize the creation of the Special Fund for financing SEZs.
Particular attention was paid to the Kin Malebo SEZ, for which the development contract was recently signed between the ARISEIIP Company and the SEZ Agency. Thus, President Tshisekedi asked the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, as well as the Ministers of Finance, Industry and Land Affairs to present to him a report on the execution of the framework agreement and on the progress of the area.
In this dynamic of SEZ development, President Tshisekedi also expects in-depth reflection from the Minister of Portfolio on the participation of state companies in SEZ projects.
These instructions from the President of the Republic follow his recent visit to the Maluku Special Economic Zone, where he kicked off the production of tiles and earthenware by the company Saphire Ceramics DRC SAS, thus marking the first industrial production in this area.
In conclusion, improving access to electrical energy in SEZs is a crucial issue to promote industrial development in the DRC. President Tshisekedi insists on the need to grant a preferential tariff for electrical energy and to mobilize the necessary resources to support the industrialization of the country.