JEDDAH, 2 July 2005 — Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), a republic in west-central Africa, has opened its first consular office in the Gulf, in Jeddah. Dr. Mohammed M. Aljuhani, a retired general in the Ministry of Interior, is the honorary consul for Saudi Arabia.
“We’ve facilities for granting visas to businessmen and tourists going to Congo from any part of the Gulf,” Dr. Aljuhani told Arab News. “My primary responsibility is to promote bilateral relations,” he said.
Dr. Aljuhani is chairman, CEO, consultant or board member of various companies and organizations.
The Kingdom today enjoys a status among the world’s leading and advanced countries and so Congo has chosen to set up its office here, said Aljuhani adding that Saudi businessmen should expand their trade and investors should explore the prospects of starting joint ventures.
Formerly called People’s Republic of the Congo, the republic has a population of three million, including three percent Muslims. The republic offers best scope for establishing a good base for Muslims, especially for businessmen and investors as the country is rich in gold, mineral resources and wood with excellent prospects for exports, he said.
A Saudi delegation will soon be visiting the republic, in response to an invitation from President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, he said, adding that the visit could take place soon, possibly in September, for discussing business and investment opportunities.
Aljuhani said he would be making a trip to the republic in advance to meet with its president and his Cabinet members. A week ago, Abbas Haider, the presidential adviser, came from Congo and held meetings with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials here.
The Congolese economy is based primarily on subsistence agriculture and the exploitation of natural resources.
There is immense scope for trade and investment. Cassava, pineapple, banana, peanuts, maize and avocados are the principal subsistence corps raised n the republic. The main cash crops are sugar cane, palm kernels and coffee. The most successful commercial agricultural operations are in the fertile Niari Valley. Forest products account for a substantial share of the country’s exports. Petroleum is produced from offshore oil fields, and crude oil typically accounts for about three-quarters of the country’s yearly exports.
