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| Government Type |
dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative government |
| Legal System |
based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Currency |
Congolese franc (CDF) |
| Economic Overview |
The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The war, which began in August 1998, has dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, has increased external debt, and has resulted in the deaths from war, famine, and disease of perhaps 3.5 million people. Foreign businesses have curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. The war has intensified the impact of such basic problems as an uncertain legal framework, corruption, inflation, and lack of openness in government economic policy and financial operations. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. A number of IMF and World Bank missions have met with the government to help it develop a coherent economic plan, and President KABILA has begun implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies outside the GDP data. |
| Natural Resources |
cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower, timber |
| Primary Industries |
mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement |
| Agricultural Products |
coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products |
| Import Commodities |
foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels |
| Export Commodities |
diamonds, copper, crude oil, coffee, cobalt |
| Export Partners |
Belgium 59.7%, US 12.9%, Zimbabwe 7.4%, France 6.9%, South Africa, Finland, Italy (2000) |
| AIRPORTS of Congo, Democratic Republic of |
| Mbandaka Airport |
Mbandaka 7km (4miles), Elevation 317m (1,040ft),3 Aircraft Stands |
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