Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC- have signed a joint communiqué on Bilateral Trade aimed at enhancing trade between the two nations.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Chipoka Mulenga signed on behalf of Zambia, while his DRC counterpart for External trade Jean-Lucien Tongba signed for his country.
DRC Co-Chair Jeremie Mukena said the two countries have agreed to quickly engage all relevant border agencies and see to it that operating hours at Kasumbalesa border are extended from the current 06 hours to 18 hours to 06 hours to 22 hours daily.
Reading the communiqué, Mr Mukena said Zambia should also expedite the process of demolishing illegal structures along the border on the Zambian side and provide an update on the progress made after 3 months.
He said the customs administration and security agencies of the two countries should continue collaborating in the fight against smuggling at Kasumbalesa border post.
Mr Mukena said that the ministry of external trade in DRC should re-engage COMESA on the feasibility study on the establishment of a One Stop Border Post at Kasumbalesa and communicate to Zambia’s ministry of commerce and trade on the way forward.
He said another agreement is that Zambia should write to the Diplomatic channel to propose inclusion of trade in the establishment of the Bilateral Special Economic Zone between the two countries.
Mr Mukena also said that the two countries should explore the proposal by DRC to sign an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.
