The recent roundtable on subcontracting in the private sector organized by the FEC in Kolwezi brought together key players in the Congolese economic world to discuss the challenges, opportunities and prospects related to this practice. This initiative, under the aegis of the United Nations Development Program, was an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts and actions to boost this sector, which is crucial for the country’s economy.
The main objective of this meeting was threefold: to identify the main obstacles hindering the development of efficient and equitable subcontracting, to explore the opportunities offered by this area to stimulate economic growth and, finally, to define concrete actions to foster a sustainable partnership between the public and private sectors.
The Minister of Industry, Louis Watum, stressed the importance of adequate regulation and the role of the ARSP in enforcing the law on subcontracting. He also announced an upcoming review of this legislation to adapt it to the realities on the ground, thus demonstrating the government’s desire to promote an environment conducive to the development of this sector.
For his part, Robert Malumba, National President of the FEC, highlighted the strategic importance of subcontracting for the Congolese economy. He stressed the essential role of this practice in strengthening the local entrepreneurial fabric, promoting innovation and creating sustainable jobs. He also mentioned the commitments made by the FEC in terms of subcontracting, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the ARSP and the development of sectoral guides to supervise operations in this area.
Despite this progress, challenges persist in the subcontracting sector. It is essential that investors comply with the legislation in force and actively support SMEs. In addition, clear and transparent recommendations must be put in place to ensure fairness in the award of contracts.
In conclusion, the round table on subcontracting in the private sector in Kolwezi highlighted the challenges and opportunities in this crucial area for the Congolese economy. It is now essential that public and private actors work together to meet the challenges and fully exploit the potential of subcontracting in the country.