Central African Republic WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.

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IV. TRADE POLICY AND PRACTICE BY SECTOR

(1) INTRODUCTION

1. The Central African Republic considers agriculture (including livestock, fishing, hunting and
forestry) to be one of the engines of the economic growth necessary for the country's reconstruction
and for poverty alleviation. The country has substantial natural resources and a climate that is
favourable to agriculture, but these potential advantages have not yet been fully exploited. Some
75 per cent of the population works in agriculture, which accounts for around 50 per cent of the GDP.
Priority has been given to reviving the coffee and cotton subsectors, formerly the most important cash
crops in the country, and in the medium term to producing food crops and breeding livestock. New
regulatory frameworks have been drawn up for forestry, fishing and aquaculture with a view to
sustainable management of resources.

2. The exploitation of alluvial and eluvial diamond deposits, as well as forests, is currently the
major source of export earnings; the official trade in diamonds appears to operate according to the
Kimberley Process requirements. Industrialization of the mining sector is one of the objectives in the
PRSP; in order to achieve this, a new Mining Code was introduced in 2004, together with a special
regime for the exploitation of uranium. This strategy should make it possible to strengthen the
industrial fabric, currently made up of a number of food processing companies (sugar, palm oil) or
companies producing wage goods (soap, mineral water). Some goods, for example mineral water and
sugar, are relatively protected through tariff and non-tariff measures; overall, the tariff structure does
not encourage the development of the food processing industry. Moreover, the protection given to
food products exacerbates poverty in urban areas and encourages fraud and illegal trade.

3. In addition to the problems of reconstruction, an environment that is not on the whole

favourable to business (including the high cost of basic inputs and the extra cost involved for land-
locked countries) is one of the concerns of companies established in the Central African Republic.
Water, electricity, banking services, business consultancy services, basic fixed telecommunications
and transport are not easily available and their cost is often exorbitant. The Government's role in the
supply of certain basic services no doubt explains the limited nature (only consultancy services for
agricultural enterprises, and tourism services) of the Central African Republic's commitments under
the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

(2) AGRICULTURE AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

(i) Overview1

4. The Central African Republic covers an area of 623,000 km 2, with forests in the south-west
and wooded savannah in the centre and north-east. It comprises seven administrative departments:
Plateaux, Équateur, Yadé, Kagas, Fertit, Haut-Oubangui and Bangui, divided into 16 prefectures. The
country is sparsely and unevenly populated (mostly in urban areas and along the main roads).

5. The Central African Republic has natural resources and a climate that is favourable to
agriculture. There is abundant rainfall and a large and dense hydrographic network; the latter
depends on two basins (the Oubanguian in the south and the Chadian in the north) present throughout
the country. The agricultural potential is estimated to be some 15 million hectares, of which only
600,000 to 700,000 are cultivated annually. It also has 5.4 million hectares of dense forest with a
potential of 3.8 million hectares of exploitable forest, of which 2.8 million are the subject of operating

1
The majority of the information has been supplied by the Central African authorities. The documents
are the following: Government of the Central African Republic (2006); NEPAD/FAO (2005); BEAC (2006).
WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review
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concessions. Some 9.3 million hectares, out of a total of 16 million, are used for livestock comprising
3.2 million tropical livestock units (TLU), essentially transhumant. As regards freshwater fishing and
aquaculture, the annual potential is estimated at between 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes a year, while
production ranges from 21,000 to 51,000 tonnes.

6. Four ecological agricultural zones can be identified from south to north: the forest or
equatorial zone, called the forest-coffee zone, in the south-west; the Guinean zone, called the food
crop-livestock zone, in the central-western area; the Sudan-Guinean zone, called the cotton-food crop
zone, which extends from west to east north of the forest-coffee zones and food crop-livestock zones;
and the Sudan-Sahel zone, called the hunting and tourism zone, in the north-east.

7. Mixed farming is the most common method, together with the breeding of small livestock
(goats, sheep, pigs and poultry). Farms are usually quite small (1.5 to 2 hectares) and because
rudimentary production methods are used, yields are low. With the exception of the private coffee
and oil palm plantations, the majority of farms come under the traditional property regime. This
means that most of the land is not registered and there is no official property market.

8. The Central African Republic produces a large part of its population's food needs
(Table IV.1), with the basic food being cassava. There are however wide regional disparities as
regards supply because the areas of production are isolated: only 5 per cent of the 15,000 km network
of rural and agricultural roads is in a good state, 57 per cent is in a bad state and the remainder can no
longer be used. The needs of the urban population are primarily met through imports from
neighbouring countries. Foodstuffs (wheat flour, refined sugar and tobacco) account for most of the
country's total imports (Table AI.2).
Table IV.1
Production of food crops, 1993/1994 and 1998/2006
('000 tonnes)
1993/94 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

Cassava 575.0 607.6 559.0 560.4 561.7 564.3 565.6 578.2

Groundnuts 72.0 101.7 110.0 115.9 121.9 133.6 139.5 145.4
Millet and 27.8 41.0 45.0 47.6 50.3 53.1 55.0 56.9
sorghum
Maize 58.0 88.0 95.0 101.0 107.0 119.0 125.0 131.0
Paddy rice 24.5 33.0 36.0 37.7 39.4 29.7 31.9 46.2
Sesame 7.8 18.5 21.0 23.1 25.3 42.8 44.5 34.1
Pumpkins 12.9 19.2 23.0 24.3 25.5 27.9 29.1 30.4

Source: Central African authorities.

9. The food crops, livestock, hunting and fishing and forestry subsectors accounted respectively
for around 55 per cent, 22 per cent, 11 per cent and 12 per cent of the agricultural GDP in 2003.

(ii) Agricultural policy

10. According to the PRSP in rural areas the agricultural sector's performance is very poor. Over
three decades, production of crops and animals experienced low average annual growth of some 2 per
cent, less than the rate of population growth, estimated to be 2.5 per cent in the 2003 census. 2
Consequently, the living standards of the rural population have declined and poverty in rural areas has
progressed. The major causes are: the low productivity of rural activities; the isolation and the lack
of adequate basic economic and social infrastructures; the absence of a policy to diversify the
2
Government of the Central African Republic (2006), page 3.
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population's sources of income; the lack of organization among the actors; the insufficient capacity
of the structures supporting the rural environment; as well as police harassment and insecurity in the
hinterland.3

11. The Agricultural Master Plan is the basic document defining the Central African Republic's
agricultural policy.4 The exploitation of fisheries, forestry and hunting resources in the Central
African Republic is or will shortly become the subject of special subsectoral policies defined by
regulatory frameworks (section (iii) below). The main ministries involved in the agricultural sector
are: the Ministry responsible for rural development; and the Ministry responsible for water and
forests. The former has set up two structures – the Agence centrafricaine de développement
agricole – ACDA (Central African Agricultural Development Agency), and the Agence nationale de
développement de l'élevage – ANDE (National Livestock Development Agency) – in order to provide
services to farmers and breeders respectively. Farmers and breeders are organized in associations or
groups to meet the needs of the various subsectors. The Centre rural d'éducation et de formation –
CREF (Rural Education and Training Centre) serves the rural population, and the Institut
centrafricain de recherche agronomique – ICRA (Central African Agronomic Research Institute)
develops seeds and methods adapted to agriculture in the Central African Republic.

12. The principal tax-related support measures for farmers/breeders are: the minimum flat-rate
tax (IMF) on personal income tax at a rate of 3 per cent of the commercial value of products 5;
exemption from the tax on agricultural profits earned from exploiting land used exclusively for food
crops whose cultivated area does not exceed 5 hectares 6; and exemption from the business licence fee
for farmers/breeders, hunters, fishermen and those using dug-out canoes. 7 Food processing
companies are eligible for tax and customs benefits under the National Investment Charter
(Chapter II(5)).

13. As for investment in rural development, the authorities have estimated the State's contribution
in 2004 to have been CFAF 4.2 billion (4.3 per cent of national investment excluding the sums
devoted to improving transport in rural areas). Needs at the national level are: opening up the interior
by upgrading highways and rural roads; increasing the profitability and competitiveness of key
sectors of the economy; and building up human resources.8

14. Using the ISIC definition, the simple average of tariffs imposed on agricultural products
(including livestock, fishing and forestry) is 23.2 per cent (Table AIV.1), higher than the overall
average of 18.2 per cent. Attention should also be drawn to the mixed escalation of tariffs in the food
processing industry because of the relatively high level of protection given to unprocessed agricultural
products (Chapter III(2)(iv)(a)). The latter are also the subject of reference values when applying
duties and taxes at the customs level (Chapter III(2)(ii)). These measures help to limit the
competitiveness of Central African goods, particularly processed agricultural products. Internal taxes
are also levied on agricultural products (Chapter III(2)(iv)(b)).

15. Refined sugar is the subject of an import monopoly: 90 per cent of imports are controlled by
a privately-owned company SUCAF-RCA (Chapter III(4)(iv)). The trend in the price of agricultural
products on domestic markets is monitored (Chapter III(4)(ii)). Agricultural products, including
3
Ibid., pages 5-6.
4
The Agricultural Master Plan, adopted in December 2000, was updated following the political
stabilization in 2003 with the assistance of the FAO. It comprises a summary and two volumes dealing
respectively with strategic orientations for the food crop production and livestock breeding subsectors.
5
General Taxation Code, Article 9.
6
Ibid., Article 38.
7
Ibid., Article 187.
8
NEPAD/FAO (2005).
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foodstuffs, are subject to sanitary and phytosanitary measures and their import may be banned, for
example, there is a ban on importing live avian species and their products from origins recognized as
affected by avian influenza (Chapter III(2)(vii)).

(iii) Policy by subsector

(a) Coffee9

16. Coffee production has plummeted since the peak of over 20,000 tonnes reached during the
1988/1989 season, with 2,514 tonnes during the 2004/2005 season, of which 2,503 tonnes were
exported (Table IV.2).10 Processing is essentially on a small scale and consists of dehusking the
coffee beans before they are exported. The sharp decline in coffee production can be explained by the
collapse in its global price from 1990 onwards (whose consequence was the abandonment of coffee
growing for more lucrative food crops), as well as by the elimination of support for the subsector.
Currently, the coffee subsector is deemed to be at risk and this does not encourage its financing. The
authorities hope to revive the coffee subsector with the support of development partners.
Table IV.2
Exports of Robusta green coffee, 2000-2005
Destination
Number of approved Number of Volume exported
Season WTO Member Non-Member
buyers exporters (Tonnes)
countries countries

2000/01 29 22 6,246.9 2,684.0 3,562.9

2001/02 24 13 6,015.6 2,928.0 3,087.6
2002/03 23 13 2,272.4 1,098.5 1,174.4
2003/04 24 15 3,957.0 1,053.5 2,873.5
2004/05 22 9 2,502.9 1,127.2 1,375.7

Source: Central African authorities.

17. The Office de réglementation de la commercialisation et du contrôle du conditionnement des

produits agricoles – ORCCPA (Office for the regulation of the marketing and control of processing of
agricultural products is the government structure responsible for ensuring the satisfactory performance
of the coffee marketing season in all the production areas (the ORCCPA only deals with coffee
because there is insufficient production of other agricultural products). 11 The ORCCPA sets the date
for opening the coffee harvesting and marketing season, as well as the date from which coffee imports
are allowed (Chapter III(2)(v)). It also determines indicative domestic prices for coffee for the
purposes of collection by the buyers and exporters it has approved. The prices are set on the basis of
the Robusta coffee price on the London forward market and take into account the quality of the
coffee, the processing and transport costs; they are readjusted during the season according to price
fluctuations.12 The ORCCPA controls the quality of commercial coffee exported. The fee it receives
for this is lower for exports to member countries of the International Coffee Organization (ICO) than
those to non-member countries13; the income received from these fees provides the bulk of the
ORCCPA's own financial resources and their decline has made it even more difficult for the
ORCCPA to provide public services. Coffee exports are exempt from the 2 per cent export duty and
coffee exporters are exempt from the 3 per cent IMF.
9
Government of the Central African Republic, Ministry of Rural Development (undated b).
10
ORCCPA (2005).
11
Law No. 91.013 of 25 September 1991.
12
Order No. 025/MDR/MCIPSP of 6 April 2006.
13
Robusta green coffee exported to ICO member countries is subject to a fee of CFAF 25/kg whereas
the fee is CFAF 50/kg for non-member countries of the ICO, for example, Sudan and Chad.
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18. Up until 1998, the coffee subsector received strong support from the Agence centrafricaine de
développement de la caféiculture – ADECAF (Central African Coffee-Growing Development
Agency). Since then, it has no longer received support for production but only for the marketing of
coffee. Currently, coffee growers may receive seedlings free of charge from the ICRA or may obtain
them from other producers. Coffee growers produce, harvest and dry the coffee. They must sell their
output to buyers approved by the ORCCPA on the basis of the indicative prices published by the latter
at the beginning of each season. Buyers process the coffee, mainly by dehusking it, and then put it in
bags for export. Export is the responsibility of the operators approved by the ORCCPA, which may
also be buyers.

19. Imports of coffee other than coffee seeds are subject to customs duty of 30 per cent under the
CEMAC's CET. In addition to the customs duty, the imported coffee is also subject to a CFAF 10 tax
per kilogram. It should also be noted that coffee may not be imported outside the periods determined
(Chapter III(2)(v)). Such measures discourage the development of coffee processing in the Central
African Republic.

(b) Cotton14

20. The Central African Republic's cotton subsector underwent considerable upheaval between
2001 and 2003 because of the mass movement of cotton growers following the recurrence of military
and political tension in the central and north-western regions where cotton is grown. Production
reached a peak of 46,037 tonnes during the 1997-1998 season, before falling to some 2.3 tonnes
during the 2002-2003 season, subsequently rising to 5.5 tonnes during the 2004-2005 season. In
normal times, this subsector employs some 100,000 cotton growers as well as 800,000 people in
related activities.

21. The leading actor in the subsector, the Société centrafricaine de développement des textiles –
SODECATEX (Central African Textile Development Company) 15, was set up in 2002 after the former
government-owned company, the Société cotonnière centrafricaine – SOCOCA (Central African
Cotton Company) was liquidated because it was no longer able to support producers; in 2004, the
State withdrew management of the subsector from the SODECATEX and decided thenceforward to
manage it through an office while awaiting the arrival of a new strategic partner. The State is
involved in discussions with the privately-owned company DAGRIS, present in the cotton subsector
in several countries in the subregion, in order to introduce reforms spread out over five years which
should lead to the creation of a new cotton company in the Central African Republic. 16

22. The seeds are currently produced by the ICRA and made available to the State office, which
provides them free of charge, together with inputs (on credit) to cotton growers organized into
Groupements d'intérêt rural – GIRs (rural interest groups). The GIRs each organize their own harvest
of seed cotton, which is bought by the State office at the selling price fixed by using the Waddell
method.17 The loans for the season are directly deducted from the planters' income. The State office
transports seed cotton to one of two plants (Bossangoa or Bambari) for ginning; transport services
(by road) are provided by private entities. The cotton lint is exported whereas the dehusked and
14
See: http://r0.unctad.org/infocomm/anglais/cotton/chain.htm#repCA [29 December 2006].
15
The State's share is 15 per cent, that of local private interests is 36 per cent, while the foreign
strategic partner has 49 per cent.
16
According to the authorities, the Agence française de développement - AFD (French Development
Agency) has undertaken to support this strategic partnership operation with a subsidy of €7 million. This
project is one of those being considered by the AFD for 2007 (French Development Agency, 2006a).
17
This formula results from a report and takes into account the following elements when determining
the minimum guaranteed price to producers: the cost of basic inputs (fertilizers and pesticides) and labour;
amortization of small tools; the level of intensification of cotton production; and the global price of cotton.
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crushed cotton seed is sold by the office (CFAF 23/kg) to HUSACA (a private company) to produce
oil. The State office had a deficit of some CFAF 400 million for the 2005-2006 season.

23. According to the ISIC (Rev. 2) definition, the simple average of the tariffs applied in the
textile industry is 21.3 per cent (Table AIV.1), above the overall average of 18.2 per cent. It should
also be noted that there is mixed escalation of tariffs in this subsector because of the relatively high
level of protection given for cotton thread prepared for sale and printed fabrics (30 per cent). Internal
taxes are also levied on these products (Chapter III(2)(iv)(b)).

(c) Sugar

24. As part of the privatization programme (Chapter III(4)(iv)), the assets of the former State-
owned company Société de gestion des sucreries centrafricaines – SOGESCA (Central African Sugar
Management Company) were taken over by a privately-owned company, Sucrière en Afrique –
SUCAF-RCA (African Sugar Company), set up in 2003. The protocol on privatization of the
SOGESCA determines the organization of the Central African sugar market up to 2008. The
SUCAF-RCA has undertaken to invest CFAF 5 billion in modernizing the sugar subsector, expanding
production capacity up to 15,000 tonnes, and also to employ the vast majority of the SOGESCA's
personnel. In return, the SUCAF-RCA benefits from the following measures: a monopoly of 90 per
cent of sugar imports, a measure notified to the WTO for which the Central African authorities cited
Article XIX of the GATT 199418; the fixing of a reference value for applying duties and taxes on
sugar (Chapter III(2)(ii)); duty and tax concessions on all imports of machinery and equipment
needed for the SUCAF-RCA's investment programme; and exemption from corporation tax for
five years (Chapter II(5)).

25. The regulatory body for sugar imports, established under this framework 19, sets quarterly
import quotas according to production by the SUCAF-RCA, consumption, exports and stocks. This
body allocates 90 per cent of the quarterly quotas to the SUCAF-RCA, under the terms of the protocol
on privatization of the SOGESCA, and distributes the remaining 10 per cent pro rata among importers
that meet the required conditions.

26. The SUCAF-RCA is the only sugar producer in the Central African Republic and started to
produce refined sugar once again during the last quarter of 2004; it produces 7,000 tonnes annually
with difficulty. Sugar cane is produced by the Société centrafricaine du sucre – SOCASUC (Central
African Sugar Company), a privately-owned company. Local sales of refined sugar were
22,715 tonnes in 2005. The main effect of the import monopoly held by the SUCAF-RCA and the
high taxation on sugar has been a sharp increase in sugar prices on the domestic market, which has led
to illegal imports.20

27. According to the ISIC (Rev. 2) definition, the simple average of the tariffs applied to the
sugar industry is 27.5 per cent (Table AIV.1), above the overall average of 18.2 per cent. Internal
taxes are also imposed on sugar (Chapter III(2)(iv)(b)). The high taxation on sugar, a staple product,
means that households have even less money to spend.

18
WTO document G/TBT/N/CAF/3 of 1 December 2004.
19
Order No. 03.028 of 5 November 2003.
20
"Les raisons de l'importation frauduleuse du sucre en RCA", ("Reasons for the illegal import of sugar
into the CAR"), 5 October 2005, http://www.leconfident.net [29 December 2006].
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(d) Palm oil

28. The State still owns 100 per cent of the Centrafricaine des palmiers – CENTRAPALM
(Central African Palm Oil Company), a State-owned enterprise producing palm oil and included in the
privatization programme (Chapter III(4)(iv)). This enterprise faces recurrent financial problems
because of the age of its palm plantations (some 2,500 hectares, of which 400 hectares are under
water), the obsolescence of its machinery and equipment and its limited processing capacity. These
problems affect its competitiveness, which is also badly hit by the import of products from
neighbouring countries. State intervention is limited to setting a reference value for imports of
unrefined palm oil, together with subsidies to the CENTRAPALM if it has operating deficits to cover.

29. The production of palm oil and palm kernel oil were 1,846 and 240 tonnes respectively in
2005, compared with 2,400 and 300 tonnes in 2004. This decrease is the result of the decline in
production of palm kernels. Some 70-80 per cent of CENTRAPALM's turnover comes from selling
oil to the privately-owned companies HUSACA and SAVEX to manufacture soap.

30. According to the ISIC definition, the simple average of the tariffs applied in the edible fats
and oils industry is 20.8 per cent (Table AIV.1), above the overall average of 18.2 per cent.
Unrefined palm oil is also one of the categories of product subject to reference values for imports
(Chapter III(2)(ii)). Internal taxes are also levied on palm oil (Chapter III(2)(iv)(b)). The high
taxation on edible oils exacerbates the lack of money in households.

(e) Livestock21

31. Cattle raising is practised by around 25,000 herders using traditional methods and represents
one of the key subsectors of the Central African Republic's agriculture. However, it has seen
considerable upheavals in recent years as a result of the exodus of Bororo herders and their cattle
following serious problems of insecurity in the hinterland. 22 Meat from livestock and hunting is
currently the main source of animal protein for the population; in normal times, the average annual
consumption is some 15-18 kg/inh.

32. The authorities consider that pastures in the Central African Republic could easily support
over 8 million head of cattle under current conditions (extensive traditional methods), compared with
the current level of 3.2 million head. The authorities are considering developing this subsector with a
view to increasing demand for meat because of the growing population in the country and subregion.
Improving epidemiological monitoring and the security of livestock breeders, promoting breeders and
developing the rearing of small animals are some of the measures envisaged to achieve this. In
principle, it is compulsory to use the State slaughterhouses in order to ensure that sanitary regulations
are observed, but nevertheless illegal slaughtering continues. The authorities hope to extend their
control of the livestock subsector in order to securitize tax revenue and related income and to ensure
the hygienic quality of the meat consumed by the population and in the countries to which it is
exported.

33. There are four State entities involved in the livestock subsector: the Fonds interprofessionnel
de développement de l'élevage – FIDE (Interprofessional Livestock Development Fund), which deals
21
Government of the Central African Republic, Ministry of Rural Development (undated b). See also
French Embassy in Cameroon, Economic Mission in Yaoundé (2005b).
22
According to a press communiqué from the Ministry of Rural Development, dated 26 June 2006,
unrest in rural areas, especially in herders' camps, has persisted for several years. The continued insecurity has
seen the kidnapping of children in camps, obliging many herders to sell their animals in order to pay the ransom.
Those still in possession of livestock decided to leave the country in order to flee from insecurity that had
become chronic. Viewed at: www.reliefweb.int [19 March 2007].
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with veterinary aspects; the Agence nationale de développement de l'élevage – ANDE (National
Livestock Development Agency); the Fédération nationale des éleveurs centrafricains – FNEC
(National Federation of Central African Stockbreeders), which provides breeders with support; and
the Société d'État de gestion des abattoirs – SEGA (State Slaughterhouse Management Company). 23
Those in the private sector are: the Association nationale des éleveurs centrafricains – ANEC
(National Association of Central African Stockbreeders), the Association centrafricaine des
commerçants de bétail – ACCB (Central African Association of Cattle Traders), and the Association
nationale des bouchers centrafricains – ANBC (Central African National Association of Butchers).

34. According to the regulatory framework for stockbreeding 24, sanitary and quality control of
products of animal origin applies at all stages of their marketing, import and export. 25 There are
135 official cattle markets in the Central African Republic. All cattle to be exported must be sold in
one of the nine terminal markets identified by the authorities. 26 The main cattle market in the Central
African Republic is in Bangui; it is known as PK 13 (Point kilométrique 13). On this market, cattle
from the interior, from Chad and Sudan are, in principle, registered and sold either for domestic
consumption or for export (mainly towards the two Congos); in 2004, 50,124 head were sold at
PK 13, of which 47,558 were bred locally.27 It would appear that the principle of national treatment is
not fully respected as regards meat because the quality control tax is CFAF 50/kg of imported meat
(of any kind) compared with CFAF 10/kg for meat (of any type) produced locally or exported.28

35. Since 1987, the Central African subregion has had a Communauté économique du bétail, de
la viande et des resources halieutiques – CEBEVIRHA (Cattle, Meat and Fisheries Resources
Economic Community)29, which became a Commission in 2001. In December 2000, confronted with
the epidemic of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the Commission banned the import of
meat products (bovine meat, meat of small ruminants, pig meat, poultry, farmed fish, bone and meat
meal) in order to protect herds and human health 30; this ban no longer appears to be applied
systematically by the CEMAC member countries. 31 Within the CEBEVIRHA, transfers of cattle on
the hoof must be accompanied by an international passport for cattle of Community origin. 32

36. The customs tariff applicable to cattle on the hoof is 30 per cent, for bovine meat it is 20 per
cent and for cattle hides 10 per cent. Internal taxes are also levied on livestock products
(Chapter III(2)(iv)(b)).

(iv) Fishing and aquaculture33

37. Commercial fishing in the Central African Republic occurs on a small scale in rivers and fish
farming in three fish farms (Landjia (Bangui), Paya (Bouar), and Bengué (Bambari)). 34 Annual

23
The ANDE is responsible for combating contagious diseases by controlling the quality of animal
products and movements and transactions involving cattle; it deals with sanitary inspection in slaughterhouses
and slaughtering sites not the responsibility of the SEGA. See Arditi, C. (2002).
24
Law No. 65/61 of 3 June 1965.
25
Decree No. 75/079 of 15 February 1975.
26
Order No. 0020/MPMR/CAB/2001 of 25 April 2001.
27
Government of the Central African Republic, Ministry of Rural Development (2005).
28
Order No. 0018/MPMR/CAB/2001 of 25 April 2001.
29
Act No. 20/87/UDEAC-475 of 18 December 1987.
30
Decision No. 08/UEAC-199-CEBEVIRHA-CM-03 of 14 December 2000.
31
French Embassy in Cameroon, Economic Mission in Yaoundé (2005b).
32
Decision No. 1-94-CEBEVIRHA-018-CE-29.
33
This section is mainly based on information provided by the Central African authorities and FAO
(1996).
34
Government of the Central African Republic, Ministry of Rural Development (2002).
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average consumption of seafood is 3 kg/inh. Fish caught near centres of consumption is consumed
fresh whereas in the interior it is processed on the spot because of the lack of conservation facilities,
either by smoking or by salting and drying. A large part of the fish consumed is imported from
countries in the subregion, especially the two Congos. The average level of tariff protection for
fishing activities is 24.8 per cent, with rates ranging from 10 to 30 per cent (Table AIV.1).

38. The Central African Fishing and Aquaculture Code is a draft law awaiting enactment through
an ordinance from the Head of State.35 The draft Code aims to create a regulatory framework for
aquaculture in Central African waters so as to boost its development.

(v) Forestry36

39. Forestry is one of the key subsectors of the Central African Republic's agriculture. Through
export duties and forestry royalties, it constitutes an important source of fiscal earnings (in 2006
around CFAF 8 billion, equivalent to one quarter of fiscal revenue excluding grants); a large source
of export earnings (Chapter I(4)); value added for the first stage of timber processing; and jobs for
some 4,000 people, while others derive their income indirectly from the subsector.

40. The Central African Republic has 5.4 million hectares of exploitable forests, almost all of
which belong to the State. Two major forest zones can be distinguished: that in the south-west
(3.8 million hectares), which is almost all exploited (either under a concession or in the form of a
natural reserve); and the Bangassou forest (1.6 million hectares) in the south-east, which is not
exploited because not easily reached.

41. The regulatory framework for forestry is the Forestry Code, enacted in 1990. 37 Under the
Code, forestry companies must obtain a "management and operating permit" (PEA), which
determines the area of their concession and the conditions for exploiting it. PEAs are allocated for the
lifetime of the company. The areas under PEAs are subject to taxation determined in the regulations
and are the same for all companies: leasing tax (CFAF 500/hectare under the PEA); logging tax
(7 per cent of the reference price per m3); and the reforestation tax (11 per cent of the reference price
per m3 exported, but only for species whose reference value exceeds CFAF 20,000/m 3). There are
also duties and taxes on the export of products (Chapter III(3)(ii)).

42. Around 2.8 million hectares are under concessions in the south-west of the country through
nine PEAs divided up among eight forestry companies. Logging follows major market trends with
global prices in United States dollars (Table IV.3). In 2005, production of logs was some 454,400 m3,
of which 48 per cent was processed into sawn timber (on the basis of a 3:1 ratio of logs to sawn
timber), corresponding to production of 71,386 m 3. The wood exported goes by truck along the
1,500 kilometres to the port of Douala in Cameroon. The dominant species is Sapelli and the leading
export market is China.

35
The Code would replace Ordinance No. 71/090 of 6 August 1971 on fishing, which does not appear
to be implemented.
36
This section is mainly based on information provided by the Central African authorities and the
following documents: International Tropical Timber Organization (2006); FAO (2005).
37
Law No. 90.003 of 9 June 1990.
WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review
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Table IV.3
Production and export of timber, 2000-2005
(m3)
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Logs 702,993 671,229 664,714, 512,711 513,848 459,402

Sawn timber 102,353 109,327 97,314 52,827 69,281 71,386
Plywood 1,500 1,776 2,016 1,521 1,563 1,434
Processed logs 313,161 334,846 298,923 163,124 213,068 219,189
Ratio of processing (percentage) 45 50 45 32 41 48

Source: Central African authorities.

43. Some of the main provisions of the Forestry Code do not appear to be fully respected. 38
Forestry companies are in principle obliged to process 60 per cent of the logs felled on the spot as of
the third year of their establishment, but in fact the processing ratio has only been around 48 per cent
despite the benefits available under the National Investment Charter for such activities (Chapter II(5)).
The Forestry Code does not have any provisions on penalties for such violations. Furthermore,
approved forestry companies are obliged to prepare and abide by a management plan to be included in
the conservation, protection and forest management plan for the State's forests. Nevertheless, the
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) only counted 650,000 hectares of concessions
with forest management plans, of which 182,000 hectares met sustainable management criteria. 39
According to the authorities, the preparation of forest management plans that meet sustainable
management criteria is the responsibility of the State and should be finalized in the near future.

44. With regard to the conventions and treaties signed and ratified by the Central African
Republic, the latter has drawn up a draft Forestry Code awaiting enactment through an ordinance by
the Head of State. One of the main innovations in the draft Code is a stronger ban on exporting logs
and promoting the export of timber processed on the spot. Forestry companies that have been given a
PEA will have to process at least 80 per cent of the logs on the spot during a transitional period of
three years, following which they will only be allowed to export wood in the form of finished or semi
finished products. Another innovation in the draft Forestry Code concerns the introduction of the
principle of sustainable management of forests into the management plans, which remain compulsory.
The sustainable management plan for State forests in the Central African Republic would be in
keeping with the Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in
Central Africa; this Treaty, to which the Central African Republic belongs 40, concerns forests in the
Congo Basin.

45. According to the ISIC definition, the simple average of tariffs applied to imported products in
the timber subsector is 28.6 per cent (Table AIV.1), above the overall average of 18.2 per cent.
Internal taxes are also levied on timber (Chapter III(2)(iv)(b)).

38
NEPAD/FAO (2005).
39
The ITTO (2005) defines sustainable forest management (SFM) as: "the process of managing forest
to achieve one or more clearly specified objectives of management with regard to the production of a continuous
flow of desired forest products and services without undue reduction of its inherent values and future
productivity and without undue undesirable effects on the physical and social environment".
40
This Treaty, which established the Commission on Forests in Central Africa (COMIFAC), was
adopted at the Summit of Heads of State of Central Africa, held at Brazzaville on 4 and 5 February 2005. The
implementation of the convergence plan agreed for this purpose is intended to be financed by donors (the
Partnership for forests in the Congo Basin (PFBC), launched at the Johannesburg Summit in September 2002).
Central African Republic WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1
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(3) MINING, ENERGY AND WATER

(i) Mining products41

46. Mining production in the Central African Republic consists of small-scale exploitation of
diamond-bearing alluvial and eluvial deposits 42, and to a lesser extent, small-scale gold mining.
Central African diamonds are recognized as being of particularly high quality. The diamond
subsector employs around 80,000 artisanal miners, 298 approved collectors and purchasing bureaux;
it is the source of income of around 600,000 people in mining zones.

47. Until 2005, the Central African mining sector appeared to be in decline: according to the
authorities, total diamond production/export recorded by the purchasing bureaux in 2005 was
382,636 carats (amounting to some CFAF 32.6 billion), whereas in 2002 production was
398,914 carats (for an amount of around CFAF 34.5 billion). This decline is the result of the
insecurity and its implications for the subsector's financing; interference by the authorities in the
production and marketing of diamonds; and massive smuggling (facilitated by the difficulty of
controlling borders) in a subsector that is inadequately managed and in which the rules of competition
have been distorted by the special authorizations given to certain operators. 43 In 2005,
production/export of gold by the purchasing bureaux was 10,372 grammes (with a value of around
CFAF 56 million).

48. In 2004, the authorities introduced a new Mining Code in order to promote private investment
and industrialization, one of the objectives in the PRSP. 44 In 2001, the State signed a protocol of
agreement with the company Aurafrique for the industrial exploitation of a deposit which, according
to the authorities, should soon start operations. At the end of 2004, the State also signed a protocol of
agreement with the company De Beers for diamond exploration and exploitation. The Mining Code
governs prospecting, exploration, exploitation, possession, movement and processing of all mineral
substances in the Central African Republic with the exception of uranium and hydrocarbons, which
are covered by special provisions. The Mining Code is implemented by the Ministry responsible for
mining.

49. According to the Mining Code, the State owns the mineral substances on national territory.
The mining titles defined in the Code are: prospecting authorization (only given to natural persons of
Central African nationality, for one year, renewable once only); reconnaissance permit (valid for one
year, renewable once only); exploration permit (valid for three years, renewable twice); small-scale
exploitation authorization (valid for three years, renewable once only for two years); special
exploitation permit (valid for two years, renewable as long as the exploitation is continuing); and
exploitation permit (25 years, renewable for ten-year periods). The State may take a share of 10 per
cent or more in the capital of mining companies holding prospecting or exploitation permits without
payment; the share depends on the size of the deposit and the nature of the mineral.

50. Furthermore, ownership, possession, sale, exploitation, transport, shipment, export and
processing of rough stones and raw metals are only authorized subject to special rules. For example,
41
The main sources for this section are the information provided by the Central African authorities and
the following references: French Embassy in Cameroon, Economic Commission in Yaoundé (2005d);
U.S. Geological Survey (2005).
42
Diamonds come from "kimberlite pipes", volcanically derived cone-shaped pipes. Some of the
diamonds have been transported by river systems over hundreds of kilometres. The kimberlite deposits and the
alluvial deposits can usually be distinguished. While industrial technology can be used to exploit kimberlite
deposits, which are usually concentrated, alluvial deposits, on the other hand, are exploited on a small scale.
43
French Embassy in Cameroon, Economic Mission in Yaoundé (2005d).
44
Ordinance No. 04.001 of 1 February 2004.
WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review
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an artisan miner must sell his production to collectors. Processing workshops must obtain their
supplies from the collectors or purchasing bureaux. Export is restricted to purchasing bureaux,
mining companies and mining cooperatives whose mining deposits have been valued at
CFAF 40 million or more; the Central African Republic participates in the Kimberley Process (KP),
whose regulations are followed at the local level by the KP Permanent Secretariat on the basis of the
valuations made by the Bureau d'évaluation et de contrôle du diamant et de l'or - Becdor (Bureau for
the Valuation and Control of Diamonds and Gold).

51. Mining titles are subject to fixed charges; ad valorem taxes on mining production and small-
scale mining taxes are determined in the Finance Law (Chapter III(3)(ii)). The taxable base for
exports is defined by the Becdor (Chapter III(3)(i)); total duties and taxes on the official export of
diamonds amount to around 9 per cent, which encourages fraud. 45 Machinery and equipment needed
for prospecting and exploitation (including site vehicles) are eligible for the temporary admission
regime (with suspension of import or export duties and taxes).

52. Import of mining substances is subject to payment of duties and taxes, including a tariff at the
maximum rate of 30 per cent, VAT of 19 per cent and excise duty of 25 per cent on precious stones.
This tariff structure does not encourage investment in the local processing of precious stones and is
partly responsible for the fact that Central African diamonds are currently only cut abroad.

53. As regards uranium, a special regulatory framework was adopted at the end of 2006 in order
to facilitate exploitation of the Bakouma deposit by the privately-owned company URANIM. These
regulations generally follow those in the Mining Code with regard to mining titles and the criteria for
granting them, eligibility for the temporary admission regime for the machinery and equipment
needed for prospecting and exploitation, as well as the imposition of surface royalties at rates fixed in
the finance laws. Moreover, the special provisions include an ad valorem fee payable on sales. They
also include the obligation to process radioactive minerals in the Central African Republic before they
are exported, as well as to manage the waste and market the radioactive substances in accordance with
international rules.

(ii) Petroleum products and natural gas46

54. The Central African Republic does not currently produce either petroleum or natural gas.
Nevertheless, according to the authorities, there are promising signs along the border with Chad and
these could be explored in the near future. 47 Prospecting, exploration, exploitation and transport of
hydrocarbons by pipeline through Central African territory are governed by the Petroleum Code 48,
whose provisions are implemented by the Ministry responsible for hydrocarbons; the Code is
currently being revised. According to its provisions, the State owns the fossile substances on national
territory.

55. The country's petroleum needs are met through imports; in the absence of any domestic
refining capacity, only refined products are imported. Activities downstream of the petroleum
subsector (import, storage, re-export, shipment, transport, distribution and marketing of hydrocarbons
and its by-products) were privatized in 1999 and the State-owned company Centrafricaine des
pétroles – PETROCA (Central African Petroleum Company) was liquidated. 49 Service stations,
45
French Embassy in Cameroon, Economic Mission in Yaoundé (2005d).
46
The main sources for this section are the information provided by the authorities.
47
The RSM Production Corporation has an exploration permit granted in 2002, but suspended
since 2004.
48
Ordinance No. 93.007 of 25 May 1993.
49
Law No. 98.012 of 28 September 1998 liberalized and regulated downstream activities in the
petroleum subsector. The Framework Agreement of 29 October 1999 signed by the Central African State, the
Central African Republic WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1
Page 58

grouped into two lots (A and B), are supplied by Total-Centrafrique and Trading d'exportation de
pétrole brut et de produits pétroliers – TRADEX (Unrefined Oil and Petroleum Products Export
Trading Company), while the Société de gestion des actifs logistiques – SOGAL (Logistical
Management Company) is responsible for storing finished petroleum products. Total-Centrafrique
and TRADEX have exclusive distribution rights until 2011. Afterwards, other approved operators
will be able to distribute petroleum products and have access to the SOGAL's structures. The latter
also has exclusive rights that end in 2011.

56. The price of petroleum products marketed and consumed on the domestic market is controlled
with a maximum price set for each product. 50 The maximum price at the pump for each product
(gasoline, petroleum, diesel fuel) is determined quarterly by an interministerial order according to a
scale of rates.51 The scale takes into account cost factors such as global prices, the cost of transport
from Douala or from other points, the duties and taxes applicable, handling fees and storage fees, the
distance to distribution points outside the capital, Bangui, as well as a margin for the SOGAL and
approved distribution companies (15 per cent each). It also includes a single tax on petroleum
products (TUPP); this allows the Government to increase or lower the amount of the net taxes levied
on petroleum products when necessary.

(iii) Electricity52

57. The electricity subsector in the Central African Republic is not highly developed because of
the large size of the country and its low population density, the effects of a decade of socio-political
unrest on the network infrastructure and the poor performance by the State-owned company Énergie
Centrafricaine (ENERCA) responsible for the subsector. Only 3 per cent of the population has access
to electricity; the authorities hope to bring this figure up to 10 per cent by 2008. Supply (18.75 MW)
is lower than demand (24 MW) in Bangui, so load shedding and outages are frequent. ENERCA's
production is mainly from hydroelectric sources 53, because thermal generation is little used owing to
the high cost of fuel.54 In the provinces, ENERCA generates electricity from thermal sources;
secondary plants are supplied with electricity for four to five hours a day. Companies established in
the Central African Republic often generate their own electricity and since the enactment of the new
Electricity Code in 2005 have been able to resell part of this to other clients. 55

companies Elf Oil Africa, Total Outre Mer and Shell Cameroun laid down the conditions for privatization of
downstream activities in the petroleum subsector. In 2000, following the withdrawal of Shell Cameroun and the
merger of the Total and Elf groups, the Framework Agreement was the subject of several amendments in the
form of three additional clauses. Total-Centrafrique and Trans-Oil took over the two service station lots.
Following the liquidation of Trans-Oil, the State issued an invitation to tender in order to find another distributor
and ensure a certain degree of competition. The tender was awarded to TRADEX.
50
Annex 2 to Additional Clause No. 1 to the Framework Agreement of 29 October 1999 on
privatization of downstream petroleum activities. The tariff scale, as well as the related details, were the subject
of Finance Law No. 97.009 of 2 July 1997; Decree No. 06.931 of 29 December 2006; and Interministerial
Order No. 111/MFB/MMEH of 30 December 2006.
51
Interministerial Order No. 112/MFB/MMEH/MCIPME of 30 December 2006 set the ceilings for the
first quarter of 2007.
52
The main sources for this section are the information provided by the authorities and the following
reference: French Embassy in Cameroon, Economic Mission in Yaoundé (2006a).
53
Boali 1 and Boali 2, with a total capacity of 18.75 MW, are around 80 kilometres from Bangui and
are linked to the capital by two medium-voltage lines. Boali 1 dates from 1954 and Boali 2 from 1976. These
facilities have only undergone some partial revision and are in a highly dilapidated state, according to the
authorities. This explains the load shedding and outages experienced in Bangui.
54
Of the six generators (whose theoretical output is 15.5 MW) in the thermal plant in Bangui, only one
(of 2.5 MW) is in service.
55
Ordinance No. 05.001 of 1 January 2005.
WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review
Page 59

58. In the Central African Republic, the town of Mobaye (608 kilometres from Bangui) is the
only one to have regular electricity supplies because it imports electricity generated by a plant in the
neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Under the CEMAC's CET, such imports are subject
to customs duty of 10 per cent as well as VAT at 19 per cent.

59. According to the Code, the production, transport, import, export, distribution and sale of
electricity are open to competition; nevertheless, approval by the Ministry, following a technical
opinion by the Agence de régulation du secteur de l'électricité (Autonomous Regulatory Agency for
the Electricity Sector) (currently being set up), is required for this purpose. Approved producers may
supply their customers through the ENERCA network or may set up their own networks. The selling
price for electricity is determined in an order issued by the Minister responsible for energy; the scale
applied dates from 8 February 2006 (Table IV.4). 56 The prices are not the same throughout the
country. ENERCA regularly finds it difficult to collect its revenue, particularly from State-owned
enterprises.
Table IV.4
Electricity ratesa, March 2007
(In CFA francs)
Bangui and Mobaye 1st bracket 2nd bracket 3rd bracket

Low voltage
Lighting 76.56/kW 82.70/kW 89.31/kW
Energy 64.80/kW 69.76/kW 75.35/kW
Mixed 75.53/kW 81.57/kW 88.10/kW

a Public lighting is billed at CFAF 69.92/kW; the electricity rate is CFAF 160.84/kW in secondary centres. The medium voltage
rate consists of a standing charge of CFAF 2,749.50/kW, plus a variable component (day, night, etc.) with a penalty for
exceeding the amount of CFAF 26.15/kW. A special charge of CFAF 10/kW is invoiced and transferred by ENERCA to the
Autonomous Regulatory Agency for the Electricity Sector; a contribution of CFAF 2/kW is also levied by ENERCA.

Source: Order No. 017/2006/MMEH/DIRCAB/DGE of 8 February 2006.

(iv) Water57

60. The Société de distribution d'eau centrafricaine – SODECA (Central African Water
Distribution Company) is responsible for supplying drinking water to 23 per cent of the population in
the country's eight major towns. Its problems include the obsolescence of its facilities (around 50 per
cent is lost for technical reasons) and the difficulty of collecting its revenue. The State once again
took over the management of the SODECA in 2001 following the withdrawal of the strategic partner
(SAUR) responsible since 1991. At present, the State is focusing on reducing SODECA's technical
losses. The selling price of water is currently fixed in an order. 58 Production, transport, distribution
and sale of water were liberalized in 2006. 59 The Ministry responsible for water resources provided
31 per cent of the rural population with drinking water in 2005. In addition, the project for managing
natural resources (PARN) deals with the management of water resources at the village level.

56
Order No. 017/2006/MMEH/DIRCAB/DGE of 8 February 2006.
57
Pro-Invest (2005).
58
The rates applied to individuals, companies and entities are: bracket 1 up to 10 m 3 (CFAF 150/m3);
bracket 2 up to 40 m3 (CFAF 250/m3); bracket 3 over 40 m3 (CFAF 450/m3). For government departments and
similar bodies, the rates are: bracket 1 up to 10 m 3 (CFAF 150/m3); bracket 2 up to 40 m 3 (CFAF 250/m3);
bracket 3 over 40 m3 (CFAF 395/m3).
59
Ordinance No. 06.001 of 12 April 2006.
Central African Republic WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1
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(4) MANUFACTURING SECTOR60

61. Manufacturing in the Central African Republic is on a relatively modest scale (Table I.1) and
mainly consists of food processing companies such as the sugar company SUCAF-RCA (section (2)
(iii)(c)), CENTRAPALM (section (2)(iii)(d)), EL-AKHRAS, which produces mineral water,
MOCAF, producing beer, HUSACA and SAVEX for soap, and SOCACIG for tobacco, as well as
bakeries and cake manufacturers. Manufacturing also includes cotton ginning (section (2)(iii)(b)), the
manufacture of aluminium sheets (ALUBA, COLALU), various chemicals (SOCAGI, CENTRAJEL,
SOCAP), and wood processing enterprises, as well as workshops making clothing and other small-
scale activities.

62. The incentives for the country's industrial development are mostly set out in the National
Investment Charter (Chapter II(4)); there are also accompanying measures (for example, the
CCIMA's centre for business formalities). The simple average of the rates applied for the MFN tariff
on manufacturing (ISIC definition) is 18.1 per cent (Table AIV.1), with a large number of
manufactures subject to the maximum rate of 30 per cent and also to other import duties and taxes
(Chapter III(2)(iv)(b)). The tariff structure imposed under the CEMAC's CET does not encourage
investment in the food processing industry because of the relatively high cost of agricultural raw
materials, exacerbated by their relatively strong tariff protection. In addition, the high level of actual
protection in the majority of industries, with a few exceptions (Chart III.2) affects the competitiveness
of Central African manufactures on foreign markets.

63. Manufactures are also subject to internal taxes such as VAT and, in some instances, excise
duty (Chapter III(2)(iv)(b)). The highest rate of taxation applies to alcoholic beverages (93 per cent)
comprising customs duty at 30 per cent, excise duty at 25 per cent and VAT at 19 per cent. Locally-
produced non-alcoholic beverages are exempt from the 10 per cent excise duty on competing imports.

64. According to the authorities, even when times are normal, manufacturing faces substantial
economic constraints (lack of investment, the small size of the domestic market, insufficient basis for
agricultural production, lack of skilled labour, ill-adapted structures and support systems, absence of a
category of entrepreneurs, insufficient information, weak basic infrastructure and high fiscal pressure)
as well as geographic constraints (the country is land-locked). In principle, Central African
companies have access to markets in the subregion under the generalized preferential tariff scheme
(TPG) of the CEMAC (Chapter III(2)(iv)(c)), but they appear unable to take advantage of this: no
Central African company has been approved by the CEMAC.

(5) SERVICES61

(i) Transport

(a) River transport62

65. River transport, along the Oubangui and Congo rivers up to Kinshasa (in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo) and Brazzaville (in the Republic of the Congo) is the historical transport and
trade axis in the Central African region. The Société centrafricaine des transports fluviaux –
SOCATRAF (Central African River Transport Company) was set up to provide river transport
services. Since the early 1990s, however, Central African economic operators have mainly been
using the land route between Bangui and the port of Douala in Cameroon for their trade, abandoning

60
The main sources for this section are the information provided by the authorities.
61
Ibid.
62
AFD (2006b).
WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review
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the river. Consequently, traffic has decreased sharply, especially the export of timber, although the
river is still used to import petroleum products during the favourable season (Chart IV.1).

Chart IV.1
River traffic, 1980-2006
'000 tonnes
250

Total
200

150 Exports

100

50
Imports

0
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Source: Central African authorities.

66. Since the peace process got under way in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the
river has once again become an option for lowering the cost of shipping imports and exports to and
from the Central African Republic. For imports, the river route takes longer (12-15 days from
Brazzaville or Kinshasa), but the cost of transport is 20 to 60 per cent less. It can be navigated around
eight months a year (May-December or June-January); a dam at Palambo would make it navigable
throughout the year, but is still at the project stage. More intensive use of the river for transporting
goods and passengers means replacing the SOCRATAF's equipment, with funding from the AFD and
the private partner, the Bolloré Group. In addition, the Service commun d'entretien des voies
navigables – SCEVN (Joint Maintenance Service for Navigable Routes) will also have to be
rehabilitated; this bilateral enterprise (Democratic Republic of the Congo/Republic of the Congo) is
responsible for maintaining all the navigable routes in the Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Basin, extending
for 2,700 kilometres.

67. The regulatory framework for river transport includes the CEMAC/DRC Internal Navigation
Code (1999) and various protocols and agreements with the DRC and the Republic of the Congo. The
Central African Republic is a member of the Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa
(MOWCA).

(b) Air transport

68. Between the country's political stabilization in 2003 and 2005, there was an upward trend in
air transport as concerns aircraft movements (10 per cent), passengers (42 per cent) and freight (48 per
cent). The vast majority of this traffic goes through the international airport (Bangui-M'Poko); there
are also 40 airports in the interior. International transport is provided by Cameroon Airlines, Toumai
Central African Republic WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1
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Air Tchad, Afriquiyah and Air France; the presence of foreign airlines in the Central African
Republic and their traffic rights are governed by bilateral agreements (in the cases of airlines from
non-members of CEMAC) or by the CEMAC Civil Aviation Code (for airlines from
CEMAC members).

69. The regulations in effect do not allow cabotage. 63 In the interior, the supply of air transport
services is the subject of special regulations64, implemented by the Ministry responsible for transport.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is responsible for managing airports and the ASECNA for
airport services.

(c) Road transport

70. There are around 24,307 km of roads in the Central African Republic, of which 9,307 km are
classified roads and 700 km are sealed roads (corresponding to 7 per cent of sealed roads). The road
from Bangui to Douala (Cameroon), along which 80 per cent of the Central African Republic's
imports and exports are transported, is only sealed for 392 km out of a total distance of 1,500 km. All
goods transported along this road are by truck, despite the insecurity problems, which remain a major
concern.

71. The Bureau d'affrètement routier centrafricain – BARC (the Central African Road Charter
Bureau) has a monopoly of international road transport and also manages the road terminal in Bangui.
Exercising the profession of international road transporter is regulated in the Central African
Republic65, as is the profession of international road transporter of goods in general within the
CEMAC.66 In principle, road traffic between Bangui and Douala is restricted to transporters of
Central African or Cameroonian nationality. The sharing of cargo between these countries is
managed by the BARC and the Bureau de gestion de fret terrestre camerounais – BGFT (Cameroon
Land Freight Management Bureau), according to the following ratio: 60 per cent for transporters
using Central African-registered vehicles; and 40 per cent for those using Cameroon-registered
vehicles.67 In practice, however, the authorities indicate that the share of Central African transporters
is well below 40 per cent (according to data from the BARC it was around 20 per cent in 2005),
because the Central African-registered vehicles are obsolescent. The management bureaux levy a
4 per cent commission excluding tax on the cost of transport services supplied, with a minimum
standing charge. When the BARC charters, an additional commission of 2 per cent is also levied.
International road transport of goods is subject to floor prices determined by the regulations 68,
systematically updated according to the trend in fuel prices.

(ii) Tourism

72. The Central African Republic has considerable tourism potential because of its assets
(equatorial forest, fauna and flora, indigenous cultures, wildlife and hunting tourism, inter alia). All
forms of tourism (business, leisure and wildlife), however, have declined as a result of the military
and political upheavals in the country from 1996 onwards: arrivals (by air in Bangui's classified
hotels) fell from 13,881 in 1995 to 7,498 in 1998, but then rose to 8,156 in 2004, according to official
63
Law No. 65.063 of 29 July 1965 and the CEMAC Civil Aviation Code of 21 July 2000.
64
Law No. 65.063 of 29 July 1965.
65
Decree No. 90.043 of 12 February 1990.
66
CEMAC Regulation No. 15/03-UEAC-612-CM-11, implemented in the Central African Republic
through Interministerial Order No. 032/04/MET/MEPEFBCI/CAB of 23 June 2004.
67
Convention of 22 December 1999 on land transport of goods between the Republic of Cameroon and
the Central African Republic. A standing joint technical commission on transport is responsible for assessing
the state of relations regarding transport between the two countries. It meets on a regular basis.
68
Interministerial Order No. 025/MFB/METAC/MCIPME of 4 July 2006.
WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review
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statistics. This decline, as well as the State's failure to pay its debts, has caused a deterioration in the
financial situation of tourism companies, which are no longer in a position to invest in the
infrastructure needed to meet visitors' expectations.

73. Accommodation is owned by private investors and the State (five hotels in Bangui and two in
the provinces, and a network of informal accommodation facilities). In Bangui, the occupancy rate
was around 60 to 70 per cent in 2006, despite the inadequate quality of accommodation. In addition
to rehabilitating the infrastructure, the development of tourism depends on stabilizing the security
situation in some areas in the interior and in neighbouring countries. 69 Consequently, sightseeing (in
Bayanga) and business travel are currently the principal reasons for visiting the Central African
Republic; business travel accounts for around two thirds of arrivals. Hunting remains an attraction
for some visitors; it is governed by special regulations with provisions concerning hunting permits
and the export of carcases and trophies.70

74. Decree No. 01.242 of 14 September 2001 governs the exercise of tourism activities. The
Decree prescribes that accommodation facilities must be authorized by the Minister responsible for
tourism, and food and beverage services and tourism operators require approval by the Minister. The
implementing texts govern the activities of tour operators, travel agencies, travel bureaux and tourist
guides71, and the approval of establishments providing food and beverage services. Until 1996, hotels
were classified by the Ministry responsible for tourism, in principle according to international
standards (more precisely those of the UDEAC); other tourism facilities have never been classified.

75. Investment in tourism facilities is not the subject of any special restrictions and the rates are
freely fixed by operators; a draft investment charter to boost tourism is currently being approved at
the national level in order to promote upgrading of the infrastructure. Tourism is currently promoted
by disseminating information on a specially-adapted site. 72 The Central African Republic made
specific commitments on tourism under the GATS 73 concerning in particular hotel and restaurant
services, tour operators, and tourist guides.

76. The Central African Republic has been a member of the World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO) since 1995.

(iii) Telecommunications and postal services74

77. The telecommunications subsector comprises the Société centrafricaine des

télécommunications – SOCATEL (Central African Telecommunications Company) 75, which still has a
monopoly of the supply of basic telecommunications services (fixed telephony and telex) and for
which the privatization project is well under way; together with three mobile telephony companies:
Telecel (whose GSM licence dates back to 1996), Nationlink (whose GSM licence dates from 2004),
and A CELL (which started up in 2005). Vodacom, established in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (on the other side of the Oubangui River) also proposes mobile telephony services covering
Bangui, although it is not authorized to do so.

69
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006).
70
Law No. 84.045 of 27 July 1984.
71
Foreign tourist guides accompanying groups of foreigners may subcontract their services to an
approved Central African agency.
72
Viewed at: www.tourisme-rca.info.
73
WTO document GATS/SC/17 of 30 August 1995.
74
French Embassy in Cameroon, Economic Mission in Yaoundé (2006b); Ministry of
Communications, Post and Telecommunications (undated).
75
This joint venture is 60 per cent owned by the State and 40 per cent by France Câbles et Radio.
Central African Republic WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1
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78. The Central African Republic has low teledensity (0.24 lines per 100 inhabitants), with some
9,680 subscribers supplied by SOCATEL in 2005. Teledensity also depends on access to electricity,
which is still poor (section (3)(iii)). The number of mobile telephone subscribers, on the other hand,
exceeded 160,000 in 2005 (Table IV.5). Internet access is only possible in Bangui and Berberati,
particularly in some Internet cafés and business centres in hotels; the links leased out to individuals
are satellite-based.

79. Although the regulatory framework for opening up telecommunications services to

competition dates back to 199676, the Agence chargée de la régulation des télécommunications - ART
(Telecommunications Regulatory Agency) only started to operate in 2004. The ART manages
frequencies, grants licences and levies fees and other charges for various telecommunications
services. The obligation to provide universal fixed telephony services is in principle the responsibility
of SOCATEL, but how they are to be financed is not specified. Such obligations are not yet
applicable to mobile telephony. The annual cost of GSM licences is CFAF 1 billion plus 1 per cent of
annual turnover.77 The ART also acts as an arbitrator for interconnections, for which the agreements
are negotiated among operators. Fixed and mobile telephony rates are freely determined by operators;
the ART only acts if there are anti-competitive practices. The import, marketing and use of satellite
terminals are regulated. Furthermore, telecommunications equipment must be approved by the ART.
Table IV.5
Basic telecommunications indicators, 2002-2006
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Fixed telephony
Number of subscribers 9,081 9,124 9,047 9,680 ..
Teledensity (number of fixed lines per 100 inhabitants) 0.239 0.234 0.226 0.240 ..
Jobs .. .. 164 224 273
Mobile telephony
Number of TELECEL subscribers 20,514 24,729 40,947 50,558 67,503
Number of NATIONLINK subscribers .. .. 18,354 27,927 32,226
Number of A-CELL subscribers .. .. 16,925 60,430
Investment (CFAF millions) .. .. 825 6,376 11,871

.. Not available.

Source: Central African authorities.

80. The Office national des postes et de l'épargne - ONPE (National Post and Savings Office) is
responsible for administering postal services and the national savings bank (section (iv)). 78 It has a
monopoly of postal services, but may transfer part of its monopoly to private operators established in
the Central African Republic.79 In 1998, the ONPE signed an authorization agreement with the
company DHL in order to allow the latter to propose express courier services 80; the ONPE also offers
an express courier service through its subsidiary EMS. The time taken for letters from the Central
African Republic to reach Europe is around 12 days, whereas for letters from Europe it is
approximately 5-7 days.

76
Law No. 96.008 of 13 January 1996.
77
Ordinance No. 03.004 of 27 March 2003.
78
Law No. 94.012 of 22 November 1994.
79
Interministerial Order No. 001/MPT/SG/98 of 2 March 1998.
80
Order No. 010/MPT/CAB/CMP/ICP/DGONPE/98 of 20 November 1998.
WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review
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(iv) Financial services

(a) Banking services81

81. The banking subsector in the Central African Republic comprises three approved commercial
banks.82 These banking institutions primarily grant short-term loans to support import-export
transactions and transfer advances to the Treasury; they are not involved to any great extent in
financing investment in the Central African Republic. Their activities have seen a downturn since
2000 owing to a liquidity crisis caused by the accumulation of unpaid debts by the State and
government-owned enterprises.

82. The BEAC sets the ceiling lending rate and the floor borrowing rate (15 per cent and 4.25 per
cent respectively in March 2007). VAT is levied on interest (lending and borrowing). A 0.25 per cent
commission applies to sums transferred by banks or by post to countries in the franc zone (other than
BEAC member countries) and 0.50 per cent to transfers outside the franc zone. 83

83. Banking activities in the Central African Republic must respect the common banking
regulations of the CEMAC and national regulations; the Commission bancaire de l'Afrique centrale –
COBAC (Banking Commission of Central Africa) monitors the operating situation of loan
establishments, ensures that their financial situation is sound and guarantees respect for the
profession's ethics. The minimum capital required to set up a bank in the Central African Republic is
CFAF 200 million. After hearing the views of the COBAC, the Minister responsible for finance
approves loan establishments and their auditors. The COBAC must make its opinion known within a
period not exceeding six months; after this time, the applicant may consider that the opinion is
positive. The criteria for establishment are the same for foreign and national banks.

84. The Central African Republic also has a micro-credit market, which existed before the
COBAC regulations were introduced in 2002. 84 There is a requirement for all microfinance
establishments within the CEMAC to comply with the COBAC regulations before April 2005 and
with the prudential regulations before April 2007. The Central African Republic has two COBAC-
approved microfinance establishments.85 The development of microfinance can be explained by the
problems in the traditional banking sector in guaranteeing the financing of business in the Central
African Republic.86 Nevertheless, there are few microfinance institutions in the hinterland because of
the insecurity that reigns there.

(b) Insurance services

85. The Central African Republic has two insurers which offer coverage for fire, accident and
other risks.87 Insurance is compulsory for automobiles and for construction sites; the premiums are
set by the operators, with a floor fixed by the Minister responsible for finance. The total market
amounts to some CFAF 1.7 billion.

81
French Embassy in Cameroon, Economic Mission in Yaoundé (2005c).
82
The Banque internationale pour la Centrafrique (BICA-groupe Fortis), taken over by ECOBANK;
the Commercial Bank Centrafrique (CBCA-Fotso group); and the Banque populaire maroco-centrafricaine
(BPMC). The State has a holding in both the CBCA and the BPMC.
83
Article 301, Chapter I, Book II, Title II, General Taxation Code, January 2006 edition.
84
Regulation No. 01/02/CEMAC/UMAC/COBAC.
85
Crédit mutuel centrafricain and the Union centrafricaine des caisses d'épargne et de crédit.
86
UNDP-CAR (undated).
87
Union des assureurs centrafricains (UAC) and Agence générale française (AGF).
Central African Republic WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1
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86. The Central African Republic has signed the Treaty on the Inter-African Conference on
Insurance Markets (CIMA), in effect in the franc zone. The CIMA has a Council of Ministers, a
Regional Insurance Control Commission and a General Secretariat.

87. Companies wishing to provide insurance must seek approval for one or more branches of
activity. The same company may not, however, offer several types of service so all insurance
companies on the Central African market offer either non-life or life insurance. A company set up in
the Central African Republic may not cover risks outside the country; likewise, risks in the Central
African Republic may not be covered by non-resident companies. These types of cover may,
however, be offered under the Community co-insurance framework within the CIMA. The minimum
capital required under the CIMA Code in order to set up an insurance company is CFAF 500 million
for public limited companies and CFAF 300 million for mutual societies.

88. The Minister responsible for finance approves a branch after examining the application on the
basis of the following criteria: the ability of the shareholders, directors and managers to administer
and manage the company to be set up; the solidity of the business plan shown in the estimated
statement of accounts, the investment programme and the estimated financial situation; as well as the
general situation of the market.
Central African Republic WT/TPR/S/183/Rev.1
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