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DR Congo publishes its first EITI report

On 22 March 2010 the Democratic Republic of Congo launched its first EITI report. This marks the first time figures of the tax revenue from DRC's natural resources are made publicly available. The launch of the first EITI report was hailed as an important step towards improving transparency and accountability in DRC's management of natural resources.

Minister of Planning, Olivier Kamitatu, and the EITI Executive Committee presented the report at the launch meeting. The report discloses the payments by companies and the revenues by the Government for oil and minerals production in the DRC. According to the report, covering 2007, the 25 extractives companies surveyed have paid US$405mn to government revenue agencies. Some discrepancies between payments and revenues where found. "[The report] is a revolution, but we can't change the world in one day," Minister Kamitatu was quoted as saying at the launch of the report. Kamitatu was also reported to say that he wanted to expand the scope of future reports, adding more companies and sectors including diamonds.

The public launch of this first report is a bold commitment by the Government, companies and civil society for making revenue flows in DRC’s oil, gas and mining sectors more transparent. The event received international media coverage. The EITI is high on the Government’s agenda which is said to be eager for the DRC to become Compliant with the requirements of the international EITI standard before the country celebrates 50 years of independence in June. One of the stated aims for implementing EITI is to attract more investment. According to Reuters, ‘international mining companies are pressing Congo to join the system so their shareholders will feel more comfortable about investing in the country’.

For more information about EITI implementation in DRC, visit the DRC EITI website, the DRC page on the International EITI website, or contact Regional Director Tim Bittiger at the EITI International Secretariat.