Capital(s): Brazzaville Population: 3,039,126 (2007) Area: 342,000 Km² Currency: 1 CFA Franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Language(s): French

Time Zone: GMT+1h00 ISO Code: CG Dialing Code: +242

Congo is an independent republic with a democratic government which lies between Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and forms part of the West Central African Region. The capital city is Brazzaville. Other major towns are Loubomo and the port of Pointe-Noire.

The official language is French. The local currency is the CFA- franc. (US$ / CFA Franc - current exchange rate).

The international time zone for Congo is GMT +1 and the international dialling code is +242. The principal airlines that fly to Brazzaville are Air Afrique, Air France, Sabena and Air Portugal. International airports are located at Brazzaville and Pointe Noire and several smaller airports are served by the national airline, Lina Congo. All nationals require visas in order to visit Congo.

A superior insurance service is provided by the local representative of AfriNet, risk managers and insurance brokers of Africa.

The state of health, the current immunisation status, location and the local disease situation lead to risk of contraction of cholera, hepatitis A, malaria, schistosomiasis, typhoid fever, and yellow fever in Congo. A risk assessment is recommended prior to arrival in the country.

The oil industry in Congo, the fifth largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, is key to the economy of the country. In particular, the upstream oil industry is the Congo's major source of foreign exchange.

Electricity is provided by the parastatal utility Societe Nationale d'Electricite. Expansions in the oil industry and other areas of the Congolese economy have led to the revival of the Sounda Gorge hydro-electric power project first mooted in 1952. Mining is another significant industry sector.

An economic programme implemented in 2003, that is to continue until 2010, focuses on reconstruction, restoration of financial soundness, promotion of good governance and transparency, sustainable growth, and poverty reduction. The government has taken steps to reduce expenditure and restructure the banking sector. A new law entrusted the regional banking supervision agency (COBAC) with the control of microfinance institutions in 2002. GDP (excluding oil revenue) growth has increased with an increase in public sector investment and an expansion in forestry.

Anti-money-laundering legislation is being prepared under the aegis of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), with the setup of a regional institution—Groupe d'action contre le blanchiment d'argent en Afrique centrale (GABAC).

The agricultural sector has been neglected and consists mostly of subsistence farming. Cassava is the main food crop, coffee and cocoa are the main cash crops and sugar and tobacco are also grown. With a large portion of the country covered in tropical rainforest, the timber industry in Congo supplies a major portion of the country's export revenue. Strict environmental controls are in place to ensure that the forestry sector is able to sustain itself. A small manufacturing sector deals mostly with agricultural and forestry products, which, includes lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes, as well as, cement.

Fiscal performance deteriorated markedly in 2002, despite strong oil revenue inflows. The overall deficit widened from 1% of GDP to 8%, mainly financed through government domestic bank borrowing and collateralized loans, and the accumulation of external payments arrears.

The devaluation of the Franc Zone in 1994 led to an increase in inflation which has subsequently decreased. Economic reform is taking place with the aid of international organizations. However, civil war in 1997 and further unrest continued to halt reforms. Inflation in 2002 was at 3.3%.

Congo was rated 140th on the Human Development Index in 2003. The transport system is sometimes volatile and prices can fluctuate as a result of sporadic rebel attacks. The Congo-Ocean Railway forms an important link in the equatorial Africa transport system. The road network, on the other hand, is under-developed.

The Congo's main export commodities include cut diamonds, petroleum products, lead products, timber and saw mill products, cocoa, coffee and sugar, while the main import commodities include chemical products, machinery, food products, iron steel and other metals and metal products.

The Foreign Trade Directorate in the Ministry of Commerce issues import licenses and imports from all sources require a declaration or a license as well as being insured with the State Insurance Company, Société d’assurances et de reéassurance du Congo (ARC).

The Ministry of Finance and Budget, who has delegated his approval authority to the General Directorate, administers Exchange Control and all exchange transactions must be effected through authorised banks or the postal administration.

There are no Free Export Zones. The Congo uses the Harmonised System of Tariff Nomenclature for classifying its products. Full customs duties are imposed on all imports, regardless of origin, entering the member states of UDEAC.

The country’s main trading partners are Belgium, China, France, India, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States.

African Development Bank, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, International Finance Corporation, International Monetary Fund, African Union, The World Bank Group, United Nations, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, World Trade Organisation, Union douaniére et économique de l'Afrique centrale ::[ View All ]

Andromede Marin Field - Congo, Block M-VI - Congo, Bouenza, Congalaise de Raffinage, Congolaise de Raffinage (Coraf), Dimanitra, Djambala Field, Djambala Marine Field, Djoue, Dolisie, Emeraude Field, Foukanda Field, Haute Mer Permit - Congo, Ikalou Field, Ikalou Sud Field, Kakamoeka, Kitina, Kitina Field, Kitina Sud Field, Kombi Field :[ View All ]

Accommodation (43):	Malonda Lodge, Cosmos Hotel, Hôtel le Guest House, Migitel Hotel, Pullman Hotel Cosmos, Azur International, Bougainvilleas Hotel, Camp d'Ekania, Camp de Lokoué, Camp de Lossi, Camp de Maya-nord, Camp Principal de M'boko, Cotiere Hotel, CTH, Hotel Beautiful City :[ View All ]
Attractions (13):	Brazzaville Basilica, Brazzaville Golf Course, Brazzaville Market, Congo River Rapids, Conkouati Faunal Reserve, Dimonika-Mayombe Biosphere Reserve, Lefini Faunal Reserve, Lekoli-Pandake Faunal Reserve, Mont Fouari Faunal Reserve, Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, Parc National de Odzala, Pointe-Noire Beach, Tsoulou Faunal Reserve :[ Add More ]
Restaurants (3):	Restaurant Congo Léo, Chez Gaspard, Le Fredanto :[ Add More ]
Transport related (4):	Maya - Maya Airport, Maya Maya Airport, Point Naire Port, Point-Noire Aerodrome