The French-Congolese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCFI) opened its doors on Friday, September 27, 2019. This reentry in the presence of the French Ambassador to the DRC was an opportunity to take stock of the activities organised during this year and also to consider the 2020 programme.

The year 2019 was full of events in which France had to intervene.

The French week in Kinshasa is the first on this list. For the French Embassy and its French Foreign Trade Advisors in the DRC (CCEF), the results are largely positive. Several elements have contributed to this success, including the participation of high-level speakers; conferences and workshops with rich themes. Another major element is the presence of Grégory Clemence, the International General Manager of Proparco, which is a subsidiary of AFD, Agence Française de Développement. Thanks to Proparco’s presence, various BtoB meetings have enabled some local start-ups to form partnerships.

DRC Mining is the second event in which France took an active part. To show the interest of French operators in the Congolese economy, a French pavilion was installed at the Karavia hotel where the DRC Mining was held.

This reopening of the ITAB allowed François Pujolas, Ambassador of France to the DRC, to congratulate the Chamber of Commerce for its dynamism, influence and above all its presence in the major cities of the DRC, namely Kinshasa, Goma and Lubumbashi,

And as for the outlook, as indicated by Mrs. Sophie Oliver, CEO of ITAB, there is an evening dedicated to women scheduled for March 2020, always in line with the desire to strengthen her leadership and self-confidence. It is also worth noting the holding of the 2020 French Week in Kinshasa with a slightly different concept focused on BtB but also on the visitor experience. ITAB is also planning a more beautiful, larger and more French French pavilion at DRC Mining Week.

Nadine Fula