PRESS RELEASE
Kinshasa – November 23rd, 2022
His Excellency the President of the Republic Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, has approved, during the Council of ministers, he chaired, the Roadmap of the Government's Priority Actions for the qualification for the financing of the Millennium Challenge (MCC), based on MCC indicators, and beyond, the improvement of the business climate and the credibility of the country.
The Head of State, Felix Tshisekedi, has approved, during the 77th meeting Council of Ministers of the Government, he chaired, on Friday, November 18, 2022, the Roadmap of Priority Actions of the Government for the qualification for MCC financing, and beyond that, the improvement of the business climate and the credibility of the country, as submitted by the Minister of Finance.
The matrix of actions and recommended measures, about the MCC indicators, includes the current and target scores of the country, the deadlines as well as the implementing lines ministries and public services assigned. It is aligned with the National Strategic Development Program (PNSD 2019-2023) and is consistent with the Government's Action Program (PAG 2021-2023).
This plan, structured in order of indicators’ priorities, takes into account both the recommendations made by the rating agencies, on the one hand, and the outcomes of the technical meetings of the MCC Unit of the Ministry of Finance, held with the sectoral ministries on the other.
This document translates into actions, the orientations given by the Head of State, at the 63rd meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 29, 2022. After formally committing the country to the MCC process, the president instructed the Minister of Finance, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to "take the necessary practical actions to implement the proposed priority actions".
This practical Roadmap aims to accelerate reforms relevant to MCC grant-making, but more importantly and subsequently, to advance governance and positive perception, with a view to mobilize resources. It uses the U.S. MCC scorecard, as a reference, with the benchmarks on which the objectives are formulated.
The Ministry of Finance, in its mission to mobilize external resources and assist other ministries and departments in this regard, will support and channel technical efforts to ensure the success of this process, under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
Several data and information of the progress made, with the evidence, were collected, triangulated, analyzed, recorded, and shared with the rating agencies. They demonstrate the considerable progress achieved by the Government. However, it is important to note that some rating agencies are reviewing progress according to their timetables and data assessment processes, so that the changes undertaken will be reflected in future scores, as the impact of ongoing reforms is gradually reflected. Concretely, the MCC and the rating agencies have considered in 2022, the progress made in 2021. However, most of the reforms undertaken this year by the Government will not be considered until next year.
The DRC intends to consolidate the gains, make more efforts and push the relevant reforms on time, if necessary, before the end of the year. It is about increasing the more successful scores of indicators, in addition to seven (7), already passed, including four (4) in the last two years. The Government's formal endorsement of the road map reflects the country's determination and commitment to the success of these reforms.
Operational and sequential details, including chronogram, timelines and sub-indicators, will be examined during the forthcoming technical work, with the support of the MCC Unit of the Ministry of Finance.
