The 7th edition of Concrete Expo opened its doors this Monday, October 2, 2023 at the Musompo Trading Center in Kolwezi. This major event brings together players in the construction sector and highlights the latest technological advances in the field of concrete.
The opening day was marked by official discussions and the presentation of the major issues around which the debates will revolve. Jean Bamanisa, President of the Organizing Committee, presented ten key areas which will be addressed during the event.
The first axis concerns the situation of multimodal transport infrastructures, in particular roads, railways and airports. Jean Bamanisa underlines the importance of ensuring compliance with construction standards and integrating the necessary easements to avoid demolitions and guarantee the durability of the works.
Another area addressed is that of analyzing the economic benefits of mining activities on local economies. The cases of Union Minière and Gécamines are cited to examine patterns of prosperity and decline. It is a question of rethinking mining models by promoting harmonious integration with urban centers and drawing lessons from other examples around the world.
Environmental requirements and the challenges posed by climate disruption are also addressed. It is about finding sustainable solutions to reconcile mining activity and the preservation of the environment.
A central axis of these debates concerns the benefits that the Congolese state derives from mining investments in terms of taxes, dividends, and their impact on the national, provincial and local economy. It is important to consider how to maximize these benefits for the benefit of the population.
Decent housing is also a concern highlighted during this edition of Concrete Expo. It is essential that mining companies guarantee their employees access to favorable real estate loans from banking institutions. This would make it possible to acquire quality housing built by real estate companies in areas developed by public authorities.
New information technologies and their impact on the development of cities are also at the heart of the discussions. This includes home automation and energy management in order to meet the growing demand from industries and households.
The agricultural sector also occupies an important place in the debates. Food and agricultural production are essential to meet the needs of a constantly growing population. The objective is to find ways to promote the development of this sector and to promote local resources.
Special economic zones are also discussed during the event. It is a question of exploring the advantages and facilities offered by these zones to attract investments and promote economic development.
Finally, land use planning is a crucial issue. Demographic issues, mining rights, hasty relocations and relocations, as well as environmental considerations must be taken into account to ensure harmonious and sustainable development of the regions concerned.
These are all key subjects which will animate the discussions during this 7th edition of Concrete Expo in Kolwezi. This event highlights the challenges of the construction sector, encourages exchanges between professionals and promotes technological advances in the field of concrete.