Economic Overview
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The World Factbook: Congo
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html
The country marked its thirteenth consecutive year of positive economic expansion in 2015. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector and is not reflected in GDP data.
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Congo, Democratic Republic – African Economic Outlook
http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/country-notes/central-africa/congo-democratic-republic/
Growth should remain strong in 2015 and 2016 if the domestic political and security situation stays calm and if external conditions remain good. It will be boosted mainly by the extractive and agro-food industries that attract most large-scale investment.
Industry Trends & Business Climate
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Congo, Democratic Republic – African Economic Outlook
http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/country-notes/central-africa/congo-democratic-republic/
Economic growth of nearly 9% in 2014 was driven by the extractive and manufacturing industries, agriculture, commerce and construction, and benefited from fairly good external demand and quite high raw material prices.
Establishing a Presence
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Starting (Registering) A Business
http://www.afribiz.info/content/2010/starting-registering-a-business-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo/
Starting a business in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) takes approximately 149 days as compared to about 46 days for the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
Taxes
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Congo, Democratic Republic of the Corporate – Taxes
http://taxsummaries.pwc.com/uk/taxsummaries/wwts.nsf/ID/Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-Corporate-Taxes-on-corporate-income
CIT, known as impôt sur les bénéfices et profits (IBP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is paid on profits realised by a company or an individual that carries out any operational activity in the country. The CIT rate is 35% (30% for mining companies).
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Tax In Democratic Republic of the Congo
http://contractortaxation.com/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo/Tax-In-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo
One of the most consistently challenging aspects of contracting in Democratic Republic of the Congo is complying with the country’s tax system.
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Congo, Democratic Republic of the – Taxes on personal income
http://taxsummaries.pwc.com/uk/taxsummaries/wwts.nsf/ID/Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-Individual-Taxes-on-personal-income
Progressive table for personal taxes in DR Congo
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Congo, Democratic Republic of the – Other taxes
http://taxsummaries.pwc.com/uk/taxsummaries/wwts.nsf/ID/Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-Corporate-Other-taxes
A standard rate of 16%.
Visas
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D.R. Congo visa application form, requirements
http://dr-congo.travisa.com/
A valid passport and business visa are required for travel to Democratic Republic of Congo.
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CONGO-KINSHASA VISA
https://www.travelvisapro.com/visa/congo-kinshasa
Instructions and costs for visas to enter the DR Congo
Infrastructure
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Transport in the Democratic Republic of the Cong
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
Ground transport in theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has always been difficult. The terrain and climate of the Congo Basinpresent serious barriers to road and rail construction, and the distances are enormous across this vast country.
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Rail transport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
The national system is mostly operated by the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC). Not all rail lines link up, but are generally connected by river transport.
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Telecoms
http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses.html
Largely due to the country’s troubled history, the national telecom system remains one of the least developed in the region. – See more at: http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses.html#sthash.wiWNhBnf.dpuf
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Telecommunications in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
Telecommunications in the Democratic Republic of the Congo include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet.
Employer Obligations
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Understanding the Labor Law of the Democratic Republic of Congo
http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=29851
This site discusses various issues including hiring Expatriates workers, work permit, visa, Employment contracts, dismissal, leave, etc
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Labor Market Regulation in Congo, Dem. Rep
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/congo-dem-rep/labor-market-regulation
This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Congo, Dem. Rep.
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Labor Market Regulation in Congo, Dem. Rep
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/congo-dem-rep/labor-market-regulation
See Redundancy Rules on this site
Culture/Living
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Cost of living in the Democratic Republic of Congo
http://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5110
A forum on the cost of living in the DR Congo with comments from people with experience living in the country
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Business Etiquette – Democratic Republic of Congo – customs and culture
http://glapd.com/about/where-we-are-from/drc-customs/
Dos and Don’ts of business etiquette in the DR Congo
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Business Etiquette – Congo Etiquette | International Dining Etiquette
http://etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table-etiquette/africa-e_table_manners/congolese.html
Etiquette rules for dining in the Congo
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Weather and Climate – Democratic Republic of Congo
http://www.southtravels.com/africa/drcongo/weather.html
The climate is tropically hot and humid in the lower western and central regions, which frequent heavy rains from October or November through May south of the equator and from April to November in the north, whilst along the equator itself there is only one season.
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Democratic Republic Of The Congo Climate
http://www.dr-congo.climatemps.com/
Of the land area, 57.9% has a tropical rainforest climate (Af), 42.1% has a tropical wet and dry/ savanna climate (Aw).
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Safety – Kinshasa Congo
http://www.kinshasa-congo.com/safety/
All foreigners traveling to and residing in Congo-Kinshasa are urged to exercise caution and maintain security awareness at all times.
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Safety – Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Warning
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/democratic-republic-of-the-congo-travel-warning.html
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (a.k.a. DRC or Congo-Kinshasa).
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Cost of Living in Congo. Prices in Congo
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Congo
Prices of everyday items in the DR Congo
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Education – The New Push for Education
http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/up-front/posts/2013/03/01-education-reform-congo-winthrop
A commentary on the focus to improve the school system in the DR Congo
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Education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
Education has never been free in the DRC. This assumption is based on a 2010 government decision to make it free but many parents are still struggling to send children to school because they cannot afford it.
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Holidays in Congo Democratic Republic in 2016
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/dr-congo/
Overview of holidays and many observances in Congo Democratic Republic during the year 2016
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Holidays and observances in Congo Democratic Republic in 2017
http://staging.timeanddate.com/holidays/dr-congo/2017
Overview of holidays and many observances in Congo Democratic Republic during the year 2017
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Demographics – CIA World Factbook – Democratic Republic of the Congo
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html
Demographic informationon the DR Congo from the CIA
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Demographics – DR Congo Population (2016) – Worldometers
http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/democratic-republic-of-the-congo-population/
Population facts and statistics
Trade
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Congo Democratic Republic customs
https://congo-democratic-republic.visahq.com/customs/
Congo Democratic Republic Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at border.
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OEC – Democratic Republic of the Congo
http://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/cog/
A profile of the import and export markets in the DR Congo
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Democratic Republic of the Congo – World Trade Organization
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/democratic_republique_congo_e.htm
This site provides key information on the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s participation in the WTO. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been a member of WTO since 1 January 1997.
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DRC Trade Agreement – focusafrica.gov.in
http://www.focusafrica.gov.in/DRC_Trade_Agreement.html
A summary of trade agreements that the DR Congo has entered into
Housing and Rentals
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Democratic Republic of the Congo Hotels
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g294186-Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo-Hotels.html
A hotel listing in various cities in the DR Congo
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Hotels in Kinshasa, Congo | USA Today
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/hotels-kinshasa-congo-55612.html
Hotel reccommendations in the capital city
Travel
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Lonely Planet
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/democratic-republic-of-congo
This site lists places of interest in the DR Congo, however, travel advice from the UK and the USA currently urges against non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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DR Congo Travel Guide – Africa Tour Operators
http://www.africatouroperators.org/dr-congo/
Despite the Democratic Republic of Congo being one among the least toured countries in Africa, slow by slowly the country is beginning to take ground in the tourism industry.