The DRC is getting into battle order to improve its business climate. To this end, the Head of State, Félix Tshisekedi, welcomed the results of the first survey of the National Barometer on the Business Climate (BNCA) presented on June 6. The report obtained provides an unprecedented view of the realities experienced by economic operators in the country, allowing a real questioning of public administration.
In a communication made Friday, June 9 during the 101st meeting of the Council of Ministers, Felix Tshisekedi asked the various officials involved to accelerate the implementation of the emergency plan for the business climate in the DRC, which should make it possible to achieve the necessary reforms by the end of the year. Some of the recommendations from the BNCA relate to reforms in taxation and incidental taxation, legal and judicial security, the political environment, the management of public contracts, the quality of the administration as well as that of infrastructure.
In terms of the fight against corruption, awareness finally seems to be taking hold. The Head of State urged the leaders of each of the representative institutions of the state apparatus to play their part for a clean and attractive business environment in favor of foreign partners. Several obstacles have been identified, in particular the quality of relations between the public administration and economic operators, corruption and security problems, infrastructure, legal and judicial security, the tax system and incidental taxation, as well as access to financing for businesses.
The establishment of electrical isolation, the acceleration of electoral reform, the fight against armed groups, the stabilization of the country and the improvement of the business climate fall under the responsibility of the government. The various recommendations set out in the report therefore challenge the national executive and in particular the officials involved in the management of these tasks.
To go beyond simple recommendations, the BNCA should cover all public services that have a direct or indirect impact on the business climate, so that it can constitute a roadmap for the development of appropriate reforms. Public officials of the State must be aware of their role to play and the importance of their contribution to improving the business climate, which is conducive to the development of economic activities and, consequently, to the creation of wealth.
The DRC has therefore initiated real substantive work in terms of the business climate and the fight against corruption. The support of foreign partners in these actions will also be decisive for the success of these medium and long-term projects.