The DRC-USA forum held in Silicon Valley was the scene of fruitful exchanges between representatives of renowned American companies such as Apple, Tesla and Google, and the Congolese ministers in charge of the Environment and Foreign Trade. This meeting provided an opportunity to address crucial issues for the economic development of the Democratic Republic of Congo and highlighted the willingness of the Congolese authorities to review their approach in international trade relations.
Ministers Eve Bazaiba and Julien Paluku took advantage of this platform to invite American companies to consider direct partnerships with the DRC, thus eliminating the intermediation of commission agents. This approach aims to dispel the negative stereotypes that often surround the country’s image and to promote its economic assets.
Julien Paluku highlighted the dynamism of the Congolese economy, with sustained growth of 5% per year, as well as the DRC’s position as a world leader in the production of strategic minerals such as cobalt and coltan. He also highlighted the country’s agricultural potential, capable of contributing to global food security.
The call from the Congolese ministers was well received by American economic operators, represented in particular by the president of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Frédéric Jordan. The latter expressed their growing interest in investing in the DRC, highlighting the opportunities offered by the country in terms of investment.
For their part, the governors of the mining provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba highlighted the strengths and investment opportunities in their respective regions, thus reinforcing the message of openness and collaboration sent by the Congolese delegation.
Ultimately, the DRC-US forum helped lay the foundations for a new era of economic partnerships between the DRC and American companies, paving the way for fruitful and mutually beneficial collaborations. This direct and constructive dialogue is an important step towards strengthening trade between the two countries and promoting Congolese resources on the international stage.