ICC news and updates
ICC to establish presence in Democratic Republic of Congo
ICC has confirmed the establishment of a new national committee in the Democratic Republic of Congo, expanding the world business organisation’s footprint on the African continent. Based in Kinshasa, the new national committee will provide support and services to local businesses to enhance their competitiveness in the global market, while amplifying the voice of businesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the global stage.
In line with ICC’s mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere, ICC Democratic Republic of Congo will facilitate international trade and investment by promoting a level playing field for businesses to compete, providing trade-related services, and offering a platform for dialogue and cooperation between local and international businesses.
ICC Democratic Republic of Congo will be led by Chair Eric Kalala who is also Chief Executive Officer of EGC (Enterprise Générale du Cobalt), an essential commodity to the electric batteries industry.
Mr Kalala joined EGC after a career in transport and logistics at the Bolloré Group/AGL where he held positions in finance and corporate governance before becoming managing director, then chairman and CEO.
“At a time of increased globalisation and heightened economic competitiveness, structured and supported access for national companies to international markets is an essential lever for growth, job creation and the development of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s private sector,” said Mr Kalala.
“In this regard, ICC plays a major role at both the global and national level in promoting international trade, harmonising commercial practices, providing arbitration and supporting companies in their export development.”
ICC Executive Board member Patricia Nzolantima was also instrumental in creating the national committee. Ms Nzolantima, who is Director General of Bizzoly Holdings, will serve on the board of ICC Democratic Republic of Congo, which also includes leaders from the local banking, telecommunications, transport, investment and mining sectors. In addition to Mr Kalala and Ms Nzolantima, ICC Democratic Republic of Congo founding members are Willy Mulamba, CEO Equity-Bcdc DRC, Benjamin Katabuka, CEO Kobold, David Tshilumba, CEO Regideso SA, Hugo-Patrick Sinza, Deputy General Manager, CMOC TFM Group, Mireille Kabamba, Director General, Canal+ DRC, Cyrille Mutombo, CEO Kibali Gold/Barrick Gold DRC, Milad Khairallah, Director General, Africell DRC, Ben Cheick Haidara, Director General, Orange DRC.
ICC Democratic Republic of Congo is recruiting a secretary general to lead its day-to-day operations. ICC’s national committee network currently spans 93 countries worldwide. ICC members join through national committees which host a range of policy commissions to track and respond to national policy developments and feed into ICC’s global advocacy programme. ICC Democratic Republic of Congo will contribute to the delivery of ICC’s institutional purpose to enable business to secure peace, prosperity, and opportunity for all.
