Background
Upon
independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became
the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with
Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government
installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist
President SASSOU-NGUESSO.
The
economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an
industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a
government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has
supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major
share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly
rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale
development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the
highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial
portion of its oil earnings, contributing to a shortage of revenues.
The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50%
resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since.
Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international
organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform program
came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis
SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October
1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms
and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international
financial institutions. However, economic progress was badly hurt by
slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December
1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. Given a fragile
peace, agreements with the IMF and the World Bank, and general
international support for reconstruction and development, prospects for
structural reform and 4% growth in 2002-03 appear strong.
Holidays
Jan 1 - New Year's Day
Feb 5 - President's Day
Feb 8 - Youth Day
Mar 8 - Congolese Women's Day
Mar 18 - Marien Ngouabi Day
May 1 - Labour Day
Jun 10 - Commemoration of the National Sovereign Conference
Jun 22 - Foundation of the National People's Army
Jul 31 - Upswing of the Revolution Congo
Aug 15 - Revolution Anniversary or Independence Day (from France, 1960)
Dec 25 - Christmas & Children's Day
Dec 31 - Foundation of the Congolese Labour Party
Dec 31 - Republic Day
Phone Codes
Country Code: 242
Outgoing International Code: 00
Resources
Market Research
CIA - The World Factbook - Republic of Congo
This
website indicates a wide range of detail information about Republic of
Congo by introducing under 8 different fields as its geography, people,
government, economy, communications, transportation, military,
transnational issues.
About Republic of Congo
There
is available to find out Congo Republic's general outlook on the issues
of its social and business profile, passport/visa, money, accommodation,
government, duty free, health and so forth.
Congo Brazzaville - INDEX
There
is available to find out a list of useful websites to find specific
information about Congo Brazzaville's business & economy when
searching in database on the word as "Congo Brazzaville".
Business Directory - Congo-Brazzaville
Wow-directory
creates cross-referenced categories in business opportunities for
Congo-Brazzaville as business to business, classifieds, cooperatives,
directories, organizations & trade.
Congo Brazzaville - Country Analysis Briefs
Energy
Information Administration(EIA)sponsored by USA, aims to display
Congo's business profile in terms of providing a wide range of analysis
on the issue of energy as petroleum,oil, gasoline and so forth.
International Business Consultants - Congo Brazzaville
Delamere
- Peninne Associates supplies a comprehensive business source for the
potential investors & entrepreneours basically by offering
marketing service, global trade opportunities and so forth.
Congo - Brazzaville Business
Mbendi
serves as a directory providing an ultimate African Business Source for
potential investors seeking new business opportunities in
Congo-Brazzaville.
AdmiNet - Congo Brazzaville
AdmiNet
creates useful webpage for Congo- Brazzaville in order to provide
information in details for investors willing to do business with Congo.
Congo Brazzaville - Principal Companies
It
is available to get the first companies of Congo Brazzaville indexed on
the basis of their public notoriety and according to their branch of
industry including their contact information.
Trade Information
Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture & Crafts of Brazzaville
This
website gives information about Brazzaville Chamber of Commerce which
aims to represent and protect the country's interests in trading,
industry, agriculture, mining, energy, forest, crafts, services and
more generally in all sectors of the economy.
U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs - For Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
U.S.
Bureau of Consular Affairs creates a wide range of research named as
Consular Information Sheet on Congo Brazzaville in terms of analyzing
its social, political, cultural & economic environments.
Congo(Brazzaville), Republic of the Government
It displays the structure of Congo's government by looking at its branches, ministries, embassies and so forth in details.
Embassy Listings For Congo Brazzaville
There are listed the embassies of the republic of Congo Brazzaville including the embassies' contact information.
Commerce in Congo Brazzaville
This
website provides an extensive information gateway for Congo Brazzaville
in terms of doing business with Congo Brazzaville, legal guides to
establishing business in Congo Brazzaville and so forth. | 
