U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE •United States o(Amcnca Department <JConunerce U.S. Country Commercial Guides Democratic Republic of the Congo U.S. Department of Commerce Table of Contents Doing Business in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ................................... 8 Market Overview ...................................................................................... 8 Market Challenges ................................................................................... 12 Market Opportunities............................................................................... 12 Market Entry Strategy .............................................................................. 13 Political and Economic Environment ............................................................. 13 Political Environment .............................................................................. 13 Selling US Products & Services ..................................................................... 13 Using an Agent to Sell US Products and Services ........................................... 13 Establishing an Office .............................................................................. 13 Mining ............................................................................................................. 15 Corporations: .................................................................................................... 15 Conditions for Diamond and Gold trading: ............................................................. 15 Forestry & Logging ............................................................................................. 16 Banking ............................................................................................................ 16 Transportation .................................................................................................. 17 Telecommunication ............................................................................................ 18 Franchising ............................................................................................ 18 Direct Marketing ..................................................................................... 18 Joint Ventures/Licensing .......................................................................... 18 Selling to the Government ........................................................................ 19 Distribution & Sales Channels ................................................................... 20 Selling Factors/Techniques ....................................................................... 21 E-Commerce .......................................................................................... 21 Overview ........................................................................................................... 21 Current Market Trends ....................................................................................... 21 1 Domestic eCommerce (B2C) ................................................................................. 22 Cross-Border eCommerce .................................................................................... 22 B2B eCommerce ................................................................................................. 22 eCommerce Services ........................................................................................... 22 eCommerce Intellectual Property Rights ................................................................ 22 Popular eCommerce Sites .................................................................................... 22 Online Payment ................................................................................................. 22 Mobile eCommerce ............................................................................................. 22 Digital Marketing ............................................................................................... 23 Major Buying Holidays ........................................................................................ 23 Social Media ...................................................................................................... 23 Trade Promotion & Advertising ................................................................. 23 Pricing .................................................................................................. 24 Sales Service/Customer Support ................................................................. 25 Protecting Intellectual Property ................................................................. 26 Due Diligence ......................................................................................... 26 Local Professional Services ....................................................................... 26 Principle Business Associations ................................................................. 26 Limitations on Selling US Products and Services ........................................... 26 Web Resources: ....................................................................................... 26 International Donors: ......................................................................................... 27 Business Associations: ........................................................................................................................... 27 Consultants: ............................................................................................................................................... 27 Other Sources: ........................................................................................................................................... 27 Leading Sectors for US Exports & Investments ................................................ 28 Best Prospect Overview ............................................................................ 28 Energy .................................................................................................. 28 Overview ........................................................................................................... 28 Leading Sub-Sectors ........................................................................................... 28 2 Opportunities .................................................................................................... 28 Web Resources ................................................................................................... 29 Agricultural Sector .................................................................................. 29 Overview ........................................................................................................... 29 Leading Sub-Sectors ........................................................................................... 30 Opportunities .................................................................................................... 30 Web Resources ................................................................................................... 30 Construction .......................................................................................... 31 Overview ........................................................................................................... 31 Leading Sub-Sectors ........................................................................................... 31 Opportunities .................................................................................................... 31 Web Resources ................................................................................................... 31 Oil and Gas ............................................................................................. 32 Overview ........................................................................................................... 32 Leading Sub-Sectors ........................................................................................... 33 Opportunities .................................................................................................... 33 Web Resources ................................................................................................... 33 Mining and Minerals ............................................................................... 33 Overview ........................................................................................................... 33 Leading Sub-Sectors ........................................................................................... 34 Opportunities .................................................................................................... 34 Web Resources ................................................................................................... 34 Telecommunications ............................................................................... 35 Overview ........................................................................................................... 35 Leading Sub-Sectors ........................................................................................... 35 Opportunities .................................................................................................... 35 Web Resources ................................................................................................... 36 Medical Equipment .................................................................................. 36 3 Overview ..........................................................................................................