Today the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) inaugurated their first democratically elected president in over forty years. The United States is proud to have played a role in the peace process in Central Africa and in helping to empower the Congolese people to realize their national aspirations. The United States is committed to supporting the DRC's democratic consolidation and economic reconstruction.
In response to President Kabila's inauguration address calling this moment the beginning of a new era for the well-being and development of the Congo's people, USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey announced the opening of USTDA's program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a first step, USTDA will dispatch two teams of U.S. experts in the power and transportation sectors to identify priority development projects for USTDA support. In addition to USTDA's support for sector development in the DRC, Director Askey will work to bring the country into regional initiatives and has committed USTDA to work in cooperation with other donor nations to see President Kabila's vision for the DRC become a reality. The delegation will meet with President Kabila on the morning of December 7th where Director Askey will again reiterate the agency's commitment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"USTDA recognizes the importance of critical infrastructure development, especially in nations emerging from periods of relative instability," said Director Askey following the inauguration of President Kabila "All across Africa, USTDA is helping to establish the necessary infrastructure and institutions for trade to serve as a catalyst for development."
Director Askey was in the DRC as part of the U.S. delegation in attendance at the inauguration ceremony of President Joseph Kabila. The recent democratic elections held in the DRC present a new opportunity for economic growth and development in a country that has been continuously plagued by conflict and economic mismanagement in the past.
The DRC is one of the poorest countries in Africa, with a GDP per capita of $120 in 2005, but is vast and resource rich. There is an enormous potential for U.S. investment in the information and communications technology, transportation, mining, and power generation sectors as the country seeks to establish the infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth.
The U.S. delegation to the inauguration was led by Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. Other members included: Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ambassador Jendayi Frazer; U.S. Ambassador to the DRC Roger A. Meece; Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development Michael E. Hess; African Development Foundation Chairman Ward Brehm; and Phelps Dodge Senior Vice President for Africa John Fenn.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
