Seeking economic diversification

Policies and support measures are being put in place by the government of the Republic of the Congo to diversify the economy by promoting investment in the agricultural sector in particular. If successful, the policies will open up logistics opportunities in a new sector. While the Republic of the Congo is the top recipient of foreign direct investment in Africa, more than 90% of the US$3.5 billion investment in 2013 was in the oil sector. A United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) Investment Policy Review (IPR) published in April found that successful agricultural market-led growth in the Republic of the Congo would hinge on significant improvements in the regulatory and institutional framework for investment. These include land tenure, taxation, human resources and infrastructure. CAPTION Coffee beans are one of the major agri-exports for the Republic of Congo.