WORLD BANK : Democratic Republic of Congo

Briefing Note on recent Developments

november 15, 1997, 12 pg.

The WORLD BANK Briefing Note contents the following three sections:
A. BACKGROUND,
B. RECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS in the DRC,
C. THE GOVERNMENT's EMERGENCY SOCIAL and ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION STRATEGY (including: capacity of the government,economic management, monetary reforms and financial restructuring, demobilization and community reintegration, elaboration of sector rehabilation strategies: education, infrastructure, energy, mining)

Here we report the conclusions of the World Bank Briefing Note. You can order the whole note by E-mail; we can send you by post.

D. CONCLUSIONS

The discussions of the previous sections suggests that the reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of Congo will require the concerted effort of the leadership of the country working in a partnership with the international community. The challenge of rebuilding the shattered economy, restoring the faith of the people in public institutions and in reducing poverty in the country is substantial and similar to efforts that have been required in other parts of the world, such as Bosnia and the West Bank and Gaza, in the recent past. A strong and effective partnership between the leadership of the DRC and the international community will be needed for success to be achieved. The forthcoming meeting of the Friends of Congo, convened for December 4, 1997, will provide the first forum for the Government of the DRC to present its program for economic and social reconstruction to the international community. It will also give the opportunity -- to those that hope that a significant turning point in the history of this nation and of Central Africa can be achieved through international concertation -- to begin charting a course for concerted action in the months and years ahead.

Washington DC, November 15, 1997