DRC: adoption of a draft for the ratification of the agreement on fisheries subsidies (Council of Ministers)

Kinshasa,  September 28^th, 2025 (CPA).- The draft law ratifying the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has  been adopted on Friday by the Council of Ministers, according to the minutes of the 60^th meeting, consulted on Sunday by CPA. « The Minister in charge of Foreign Trade, represented by his colleague from Land Affairs, has submitted two ratification texts to the Council for review and deliberation: the draft law ratifying Ordinance Law No. 25, bar 036, of July  8^th, 2025, authorising the ratification of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, » the document has indicated.  According to the Minister, the aforementioned agreement is one of the WTO instruments open for acceptance that DRC has not yet ratified. He has argued that once ratified, this agreement will help consolidate cooperation with the WTO and pursue economic diversification. « By authorising this ratification, DRC will demonstrate its firm determination to contribute to the implementation of this agreement and to pursue solid cooperation with the WTO, with a view to ensuring the growth and diversification of the country’s economy for the well-being of the population,’ the foreign trade ministers has emphasized », he has said. He has highlighted some key passages of the agreement, in particular the provisions to speed up the movement, ‘freeing up’ and customs clearance of goods. ‘This text contains provisions aimed at speeding up the movement, release and customs clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It also provides for measures to ensure effective cooperation between customs and other competent authorities on trade facilitation and compliance with customs procedures,’ he has informed.