Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a trade facilitation agreement aimed at easing cross-border commerce, expanding exports and opening more investment opportunities between the two countries.
The agreement, signed in Dar es Salaam by Tanzania’s Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga and her DRC counterpart Julien Paluku Kahongya, focuses on transport, exports, trade facilitation, infrastructure and cross-border commerce.
The deal could strengthen Tanzania’s role as a key trade gateway for the DRC, which relies heavily on the Port of Dar es Salaam to transport goods to and from international markets.
The agreement also provides for the establishment of a joint trade committee to identify and address challenges affecting businesses operating across the two countries.
Speaking after the DRC delegation visited the Port of Dar es Salaam, Director of Trade Development in the Ministry of Industry and Trade Sempeho Manongi said the DRC was an important trading partner for Tanzania.
He said minerals and other goods produced in the DRC could continue to use Tanzania’s port and transport infrastructure, while Tanzanian products could gain greater access to the Congolese market.
“Tanzania is continuing to improve its infrastructure and business environment to increase trade with neighbouring countries,” Mr Manongi said.
The visit to the port was intended to give the Congolese delegation a closer look at the infrastructure supporting trade between the two countries.
Ms Kapinga has also highlighted opportunities for Tanzanian businesses to increase exports to the DRC, with the government seeking to promote value addition so that more locally produced goods can enter regional markets.
The priority areas identified under the agreement include improving the movement of goods, expanding exports, strengthening trade facilitation and developing infrastructure needed to support cross-border commerce.
For Tanzanian businesses, the agreement could create opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, transport and the supply of processed goods to the DRC, while Congolese businesses could benefit from improved access to Tanzania’s ports and transport networks.
The government has urged the private sector to take advantage of the opportunities created by the agreement as Tanzania seeks to increase trade with neighbouring countries.
The latest agreement builds on the two countries’ growing economic links, with the Port of Dar es Salaam remaining a critical connection between Tanzania and the DRC.