Kenya and DR Congo to sign accord by end of 2014

9478 Views 55 Replies 10 Participants Last post by BUTEMBO21, Jul 31, 2014

preme3000

Discussion Starter · Apr 18, 2014

Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo could sign a bilateral trade agreement by the end of 2014, a government official said Tuesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of International Trade Nelson Ndirangu said in Nairobi that talks between the two nations began over two years ago.

“We are waiting for the DR Congo to sign the agreement so that it ratified by Kenya’s parliament,” Ndirangu said during a retreat on Kenya economic ties with the Great Lakes Region.

The day-long conference brought participants to strategize on ways of increasing Kenya’s trade in the region. He said that a trade agreement will offer Kenya preferential access to the Central Africa state.

Ndirangu said that DR Congo, with approximately 90 million people, is a net importer of agricultural and manufactured goods and therefore offers Kenya a huge market.

He said that trade between the two nations is low due to the high trade taxes.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said that Kenya is seeking to exploit the untapped markets of the Great Lakes Region. The region comprises of Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Kenya, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

The PS said that the region has a Gross Domestic Product of about 341 billion U.S. dollars. “It should be one of our focus areas for trade, investment and trade opportunities,” he said.

Special Adviser to the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary- General to the Great Lakes Region Modibo Toure said that Kenya is the most advanced economies in East and Central Africa.

“It is increasingly assuming a prominent role in resolving regional conflicts,” he said.He said that the region’s business community needs to play a role in ending the recurring cycle of violence in the region.

“Shared prosperity is one way of ensuring long term stability,” Toure said. The adviser said that the World Bank has set aside funds to assist businesses in the region to increase investments and trade.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of National Coordinator of the Office of the Great Lakes Region Ken Vitisia said that as military conflict in the region reduces, economic activity begins to pick up.

He noted that the countries of the Great Lakes Region are of great economic importance to Kenya as they are the country’s main trading partners.

According to Kenya’s Economic Survey 2013, Kenya’s value of exports to Africa remained at 48 percent of Kenya’s total exports.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers Head of Policy Phyllis Wakiaga said that Kenya’s key exports to the region include tea, iron products, palms oil, medicaments, beer and cigarettes, sugar and confectionery.

She added that imports include machinery parts, raw hides and skins, unmanufactured tobacco, wood, maize and copper wire.

KAM said that the key critical areas that need to be addressed in the region include health financing, education services and hydroelectric projects.

“This can contribute to peace as well as the revitalization of economic development,” Wakiaga said.

source

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

1 - 20 of 56 Posts

preme3000

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 18, 2014

90 million? Not sure where that figure came from

Save

African lack of information.....i know they have been looking for ways to make it into DRC.

However; I'm totally against this deal, things should be left the way they are or have been.

The dysfunctional leadership of course going to sign the deal anyways. What else is it good at other than signings with anyone.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

preme3000

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 18, 2014

BUTEMBO21 said:
African lack of information.....i know they have been looking for ways to make it into DRC.

However; I'm totally against this deal, things should be left the way they are or have been.

The dysfunctional leadership of course going to sign the deal anyways. What else is it good at other than signings with anyone.

:lol: true

See less See more

Save

BUTEMBO21

· #5 · Apr 18, 2014

We import cement, Sugar, petroleum , steel for construction. And use their port for imports from Dubai, East Asia etc..

But we're never supposed to import anything from that country. To make matters worst we have to go through our enemies lands and they are our enemies best friends.

Sud Kivi has a Sugar and Cement factories that needs the comeback into business, we shoue not import steel. From them should. Be done in the country.

But as usual the dysfunctional cares imports than exports . What a low IQ.

hno:

See less See more

Save

Africa Love

· #6 · Apr 19, 2014

dysfunctional leadership? yup so dysfunctional that the DRC's economy is growing 10 percent a year. I think a lot of people would like that type of dysfunction.

Save

preme3000

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 19, 2014

Africa Love said:
dysfunctional leadership? yup so dysfunctional that the DRC's economy is growing 10 percent a year. I think a lot of people would like that type of dysfunction.

I wouldn't wish this government on even my worst enemy's country!

Save

Reactions: 1

Mulopwe

· #8 · Apr 19, 2014 (Edited)

Africa Love said:
dysfunctional leadership? yup so dysfunctional that the DRC's economy is growing 10 percent a year. I think a lot of people would like that type of dysfunction.

10 percent supported mostly by mining activities.80 percent of the population living with less than $1 day ......most corrupted and inefficient administration that uses all means including Tanks and automatic weapons to keep power and steal public fund.

Mulopwe

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

BUTEMBO21

· #9 · Apr 19, 2014

I wouldn't. Waste. My time talking to that guy. He has no clue about the country, nor does he know basic social economics.

Save

mwanamwiwa

· #10 · Apr 19, 2014

This agreement shall strengthen our ties most importantly in trade and should be welcomed.Intra african trade is the way forward my Congolese brothers.

Save

preme3000

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 19, 2014

mwanamwiwa said:
This agreement shall strengthen our ties most importantly in trade and should be welcomed.Intra african trade is the way forward my Congolese brothers.

We def want the country to do business with everyone; people's frustrations come from the fact that we will sign such a deal and have some presentations but nothing concrete will happen AT ALL. That I can guarantee you straight away.

So most of us want to see the issues at home fixed first before actually opening up, imo, DRC need to go into a period of isolation (like the USA did), take full inventory and audits of the country and then come out to play. In the last 50 years, we have had maybe 10 good years, the rest post late 70s has been a disaster or disasters waiting to happen.

As we speak, no one can tell you the actual population of Kinshasa let alone the population of the country. We have a long way to go so we just want some serious efforts, not good sounding announcements

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

bkv

· #12 · Apr 19, 2014

mwanamwiwa said:
This agreement shall strengthen our ties most importantly in trade and should be welcomed.Intra african trade is the way forward my Congolese brothers.

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause: Many of my congolese fellow think that congo starts and ends only in kinshasa. They never look beyond that...

See less See more

Save

BUTEMBO21

· #13 · Apr 19, 2014 (Edited)

bkv said:
Many of my congolese fellow think that congo starts and ends only in kinshasa. They never look beyond that...

I'm not from Kinshasa and i completely reject this useless signing.

Most Kivutiens actually would oppose this useless signing. I know you support Kanambe l;eadership and what he does.

Ehat is with "some people think Congo ends in Kinshasa"? You are criticizing something you are doing.

See less See more

Save

kinkiesse

· #14 · Apr 20, 2014

bkv said:
:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause: Many of my congolese fellow think that congo starts and ends only in kinshasa. They never look beyond that...

No trade deals are perfect but must side with bkv on this one! JOka has no choice but to apply this since his masters ( in this case: World Bank, IMF) want this to happen so by doing this Joka stays in power. They use reasons such as: "

“Shared prosperity is one way of ensuring long term stability,” Toure said. The adviser said that the World Bank has set aside funds to assist businesses in the region to increase investments and trade"

"It is increasingly assuming a prominent role in resolving regional conflicts,” he said.He said that the region’s business community needs to play a role in ending the recurring cycle of violence in the region."

Their rationale is by interconnecting economies in the region, they will be less need to use wars.

But anyways, Kenya and East Congo are already interconnected through the Mombasa port. This trade deal will mostly impact East Congo more than the rest of Congo. In the long run, Kenya will add foreign investment to East Congo

East Africa is also running low on many agricultural commodities such as sugar, flour, rice. Since East Congo has abundant land, EAst Congo could trade with Kenya on that. But still think Kenya will benefit more in the short term

See less See more

Save

BUTEMBO21

· #15 · Apr 20, 2014

The WB+IMF are forcing Joka to sign these useless things? Nah, not even halfway convincing....Not going far in discussing this,.....That again, i agree to disagree.

The only deals i beleive they forced him to do is allow in Western mining Mining, Petroleum etc companies only in the country.

What is wrong with the current DRC-Kenya trades anyways?

See less See more

Save

kinkiesse

· #16 · Apr 20, 2014 (Edited)

BUTEMBO21 said:
The WB+IMF are forcing Joka to sign these useless things? Nah, not even halfway convincing....Not going far in discussing this,.....That again, i agree to disagree.

The only deals i beleive they forced him to do is allow in Western mining Mining, Petroleum etc companies only in the country.

What is wrong with the current DRC-Kenya trades anyways?

Forced is too strong of a word in this case when it comes to WB & IMF. ON the political side, Russell Feingold, Obama special envoy, did tell Joka to open up East Congo to East AFrica to help quell the wars and bring prosperity to all. But that's a year or so ago though. The same reasons given by WB in this article piece

See less See more

Save

mwanamwiwa

· #17 · Apr 20, 2014

BUTEMBO21 said:
The WB+IMF are forcing Joka to sign these useless things? Nah, not even halfway convincing....Not going far in discussing this,.....That again, i agree to disagree.

The only deals i beleive they forced him to do is allow in Western mining Mining, Petroleum etc companies only in the country.

What is wrong with the current DRC-Kenya trades anyways?

Trade volumes are too low due to many factors like tarriffs, corruption, infrastructure, bureaucracy etc.A bilateral agreement is the first step to addressing some of these issues.Increased trade volumes are in the best interest of everyone.

See less See more

Save

bkv

· #18 · Apr 20, 2014

BUTEMBO21 said:
I'm not from Kinshasa and i completely reject this useless signing.

Most Kivutiens actually would oppose this useless signing. I know you support Kanambe l;eadership and what he does.

Ehat is with "some people think Congo ends in Kinshasa"? You are criticizing something you are doing.

Mzee butembo, je ne sais pas si tu vis dans une bulle ou tu fais semblant d'ignorer les realites de nos provinces de l'est. Sais-tu que plus de 100% de nos exportations et importations(echanges commerciaux) se font avec l'afrique de l'est ? Et 0% d'echanges avec kinshasa et autres provinces de l'ouest.(auf de tracasseries, corruptions et autres pillages....) Demandez a n'importe quel homme d'affaires du kivu(est du congo) quel calvaire doit-il surmonter pour parvenir a acheminer sa marchandise de mombasa ou dar es salam jusqua l'est du congo. Les taxes, les tracasseries ect...
Sais-tu que la deuxieme force economique en uganda sont tes freres batembo et banande apres les indiens?
Non, mzee il faut connaitre ton pays pour dire du n'importe quoi quand il s'agit de l'afrique de l'est et nos echanges.

hno:

See less See more

Save

kinkiesse

· #19 · Apr 21, 2014 (Edited)

bkv said:
Mzee butembo, je ne sais pas si tu vis dans une bulle ou tu fais semblant d'ignorer les realites de nos provinces de l'est. Sais-tu que plus de 100% de nos exportations et importations(echanges commerciaux) se font avec l'afrique de l'est ? Et 0% d'echanges avec kinshasa et autres provinces de l'ouest.(auf de tracasseries, corruptions et autres pillages....) Demandez a n'importe quel homme d'affaires du kivu(est du congo) quel calvaire doit-il surmonter pour parvenir a acheminer sa marchandise de mombasa ou dar es salam jusqua l'est du congo. Les taxes, les tracasseries ect...
Sais-tu que la deuxieme force economique en uganda sont tes freres batembo et banande apres les indiens?
Non, mzee il faut connaitre ton pays pour dire du n'importe quoi quand il s'agit de l'afrique de l'est et nos echanges.hno:hno:hno:hno:hno:

True that! Les realites de L'Est are different than other parts of Congo. As Congolese, we need to stop being too "Kinshasa-centric in everything like you said in one of your above post. But rather let's strive to see the bigger picture to assess correctly each part of the country's needs. Must strive to be "practical-driven" rather than always "ideology-driven" as is the case with Francophone Africa most of the times.

About being Kinshasa-centric, It's not just you saying that since even the international community and Russell Feingold are also "reprochent" the Congolese central gov for the same thing regarding its provinces in the East after the accord de Nairobi was signed. They asked the central gov to change its ways in regards on how it deals with its provinces to the East of the country

I also heard some initiatives taken by the Central gov nowadays is the result of the advise of East Congo provincial governors specially when it came for Congo to entering the COMESA FTA protocol. FTA stands for Free Trade Area

See less See more

Save

bandundu

· #20 · Apr 23, 2014

This is good news and should be applicable to all the border posts

Rwanda in Talks With DRC Over New Visa Fees
BY COLLINS MWAI, 22 APRIL 2014

The Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration is engaged in talks with Democratic Republic of Congo migration officials on the possibility of reverting a new directive requiring Rwandans travelling to Congo through Bukavu border point to pay visa fees.

Other than a laissez-passer which costs Rwf10,000, Rwandans will be required to have a visa which goes for $55 (Rwf37,400) for ordinary persons and $35 (Rwf23,800) for students.

The development, which came into force on April 21, saw a good number of Rwandans stranded at the border, especially students with some of them having to postpone their trip.

Ange Sebutege, the communications officer at the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration termed the move as a surprise.

"It was a surprise to see that they have begun charging visa fees for all Rwandans going to DRC. It goes against the CEPGL (Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries) agreement. Normally those who are required to process a visa are those going to reside or work in the country as residents but visas do not apply to visitors," he said. CEPGL brings together Rwanda, DR Congo and Burundi.

He said the way forward would be to categorise people crossing the border to determine the length and purpose of their stay to find out if they require a visa.

He said Congolese coming to Rwanda are not required to have visas.

"They should categorise the people crossing the border point and find out if it is people who are working or if they are only visitors," he said.

Sebutege said that under the CEPGL agreement, there are people who are not required to have visas.

"It is the same for Rwanda, there are those we do not require to have a visa. In fact, there are people who are not even required to have passports, they only use border passes. Asking someone who doesn't even use standard travel documents such as a passport to use a visa is not good," he said.

So far the new move is being implemented at the Bukavu border point.

"It is surprising that it was only applied on one border point, yet we have four other border points with DRC that are still using normal procedures. We are yet to know the origin of the new move but as of now, we are engaging them in talks to see the way forward," Sebutege said.

An official at the DRC embassy in Kigali declined to comment on the issue, saying details about the move are still scanty and that they were still waiting for an official brief from Kinshasa.

See less See more

Save

1 - 20 of 56 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month