Practical
      Guide to the
						

      
						
Democratic
      Republic of Congo
						

      
						
 
						

      
						
An introduction
      for all those in the humanitarian, diplomatic and business worlds
      who are involved in the DRC or are about to take the plunge at
      an exciting moment in the country's history.
						

      
						

							
        
							
Whether
        you are setting up a business or are already engaged in the DRC,
        this guide gives you the practical information you need to survive
        and prosper in a difficult environment.
        
							
 
        
							
•
        Practical setting-up help, lists of key figures, addresses and
        contacts, background information and interviews with the leading
        figures in Congolese political and economic life.
        
							
 
        
							
•
        A detailed chronological account of recent events in war and
        peace in a searchable database.
        
							
 
        
							
•
        The economy analysed in a chronological database of important
        recent issues, with current data on the main sectors.
      
						
						

      
						
 
						

      
						
This is a dynamic
      Guide - 215 letter pages in printed format, and each month updated
      with the most recent information from the DRC, accessible online.
						

      
						
The Guide is edited by
      veteran analysts David Coetzee and Francois Misser and is available
      as a CD-Rom, in printed hardcopy format, and online.
						

      
						
Sample
      pages ...
						

      
						
DRC
      Guide index
						

      
						
A concessionary rate is available to our subscribers. Buy  the Guide here ...
						

						


      
						
Published by
      SouthMedia

					
					

      
						
The democratically elected Government in Kinshasa offers the first real opportunity
      to the DRC to break with its disastrous recent past and to establish
      a legitimate authority .
						

      
						


								
      Its immediate challenges are to ensure a final resolution of
      the conflict; provide an effective humanitarian response; establish
      an accountable state; establish a framework for tackling the
      country's huge poverty problems; and to hold free and fair elections.
						

      
						


								
      Such is the potential of the Congo that trade and investment
      is bound to flow as soon as there is an indication of a stable
      future. Business leaders as well as governments are watching
      eagerly. Humanitarian needs are constant and expanding.
						

      
						


								
      This Guide has been produced for those who are preparing to enter
      the DRC's choppy waters - businesses, aid agencies - and for
      the international and regional diplomats who recognise the central
      strategic importance of the DRC for Africa.
						

      
						
Many companies
      are already engaged there - South African, Belgian, US and others.
      More will follow if the transitional government builds the basis
      for elections and stable rule.
						

      
						


								
      The Guide consists of four parts - an brief overview for those
      who quickly need to understand the nature of the country and
      its politics and economy; a practical guide to doing business
      or operating in a difficult environment; an assessment of the
      economy; an overview of the politics of the country; and a series
      of current interviews with key DRC political and business leaders.
						

      
						


								
      This is also a technically up-to-date Guide - a printed resource
      for those who need this, and also an digital and online resource.
      The key to the sections are lists of important business, military
      and political leaders active since the late '90s in the turbulent
      public life of the DRC. The body of the Guide - on CD-Rom or
      online - can then be searched for these figures' background and
      current activities.
						

      
						


								
      The sections are chronologically organised, so that important
      events can also be fixed or searched by date.
						

      
						


								
      The Guide is dynamic in another way, too. Each month current
      data and analysis from our own analysts is being fed into our
      database on the DRC and this is accessible online as part of
      the Guide. An annual subscription gives access to each new year's
      reports as well as to an archive dating from the end of former
      president Mobutu's rule and earlier.