Delegation of Russian Companies Visited the DRC as Part of the First Business Mission Organized by AECAS

27.05.2021

The Association for Economic Cooperation with African States (AECAS), with the support of the Russian Embassy in Kinshasa and the active involvement of the Council of Russian Compatriots in the DR Congo, held the first business mission of Russian companies to the DRC.

May 26, Moscow - Head of the Secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, Ambassador-at-Large Oleg Ozerov arrived in the DRC on an official visit with the AECAS business delegation.

Representatives of Russia's largest fertilizer producer, PhosAgro, as well as CETRA, a manufacturer of machinery for the mining industry, participated in the mission.

The main purpose of the visit was to explore opportunities for Russian business in the DRC's main economic sectors - agriculture and mining.

The AECAS delegation, with the participation of representatives of the Russian Embassy in Kinshasa, met with the DRC Deputy Minister of Mines, Godard Motemona Gibolum. He noted that the ministry was restructuring the industry and was reviewing the contracts signed by the previous government due to their poor development and their unprofitability for the country in terms of mining a number of minerals (cobalt, gold, diamonds, etc).

The Deputy Minister welcomed the interest of Russian companies in the country's mining sector, noting that the DRC is ready to consider proposals for cooperation in this sector.

Members of the AECAS delegation also met with the representatives of the state mining company GECAMINES SA (La Générale des Carrières et des Mines).

Agriculture, one of the most important sectors of the DRC with the population of over 85 million people, is another promising area for cooperation between Russia and the African country.

The AECAS business delegation held talks with representatives of the DRC's agricultural sector: the Secretary General of the DRC's Ministry of Agriculture, as well as with members of the agricultural commission of the Federation of Entrepreneurs of Congo (Fédération des Entreprises du Congo).

Agribusiness representatives highlighted the need for higher yields and the consequent need for increased fertilizer purchases. The discussion focused on logistics and the increase in imports, the establishment of direct supplies of fertilizers from Russia, as well as the need to set up a consignment warehouse near ports. The parties agreed to continue consultations and find a mutually beneficial solution.