During the current crisis, it is impossible to talk about the prospects of the market. The SAR market is small and affected by the crisis, and the purchasing power of the vast majority of the population is very low. The exporter should focus on the entire CEMAC region, especially Cameroon, from where most goods are imported to the SAR. Czech goods will face very strong French competition on the market, rapidly growing imports of cheap Chinese goods. After the security situation calms down and the country is financially stabilized, food products, household goods of all kinds, costume jewelry, glass and porcelain, chemicals, fertilizers, telecommunications equipment, oil refining equipment, mining equipment and construction machinery, machinery (even refurbished) could be promising., simple workshop machinery, agricultural machinery, irrigation systems and water treatment, cars (also used), clothing (including second-hand), tires, generators.
The most promising items for Czech exports, sectors for investment, privatization and development projects
In the long-term perspective, equipment for the processing of products from the agricultural sector. The offer of subcontracts for foreign companies operating in the SAR in the field of exploration and exploitation of mineral reserves could be successful.
Event calendar
There are no significant exhibitions or fairs in SAR.
Business and economic cooperation
Mutual economic relations are very limited and irregular. During the current crisis, it is impossible to talk about the prospects of the market. The SAR market is small and affected by the crisis, and the purchasing power of the vast majority of the population is very low. The exporter should focus on the entire CEMAC region, especially Cameroon, from where most goods are imported to the SAR. Czech goods will face very strong French competition on the market, rapidly growing imports of cheap Chinese goods. Mutual economic relations are therefore very limited and irregular.
After the security situation calms down and the country is financially stabilized, food products, household goods of all kinds, costume jewelry, glass and porcelain, chemicals, fertilizers, telecommunications equipment, oil refining equipment, mining equipment and construction machinery, machinery (even refurbished) could be promising., simple workshop machinery, agricultural machinery, irrigation systems and water treatment, cars (also used), clothing (including second-hand), tires, generators, solar panels, etc. In the long term, equipment for processing agricultural sector products. According to allcountrylist, the offer of subcontracts for foreign companies operating in the SAR in the field of exploration and exploitation of mineral reserves could be successful.
In addition to the Czech company PK Horsia striving to build a brewery in the capital, the construction of residential social houses and a feasibility study for the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Lobaye River, a leading Czech textile company and the most important Czech exporter to sub-Saharan Africa – VEBA – is also actively involved in the country, for which cooperation with this pivotal in the region and which is also actively involved in other states of the region, e.g. with fashion shows of its products. In connection with mutually beneficial business cooperation, the activities of Czech companies, such as those mentioned above, are highly valued and supported.
- Balance of mutual trade exchange for the last 5 years
- 10 most important Czech export/import items
- Mutual exchange in the field of services
- Czech investments in the territory: Companies and joint-ventures in mutual trade and in other areas of economic cooperation
- The contractual basis between the two states
- Foreign development cooperation
Balance of mutual trade exchange for the last 5 years
| Export | Importation | Turnover | Balance | |
| 2014 | 156 | 394 | 550 | -238 |
| 2015 | 773 | 35 | 807 | -738 |
| 2016 | 306 | 309 | 615 | -3 |
| 2017 | 9 | 35 | 44 | 26 |
| 2018 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 7 |
Data in thousand USD
10 most important Czech export/import items
Trade exchange with the Central African Republic is more or less symbolic. In 2018, imports into the Czech Republic amounted to 85,000 CZK, exports to 253,000 CZK. The main export commodities were road tractors, safes, advertising printed T-shirts, paper coasters, vodka and sparkling wines. Tomatoes, white wine and painter’s putty were imported.
Mutual exchange in the field of services
ZÚ does not register any exchange in the area of services.
Czech investments in the territory: Companies and joint-ventures in mutual trade and in other areas of economic cooperation
They do not exist, the ZÚ noted in the past the interest of a Czech company in operating in the SAR. The most promising sectors for investment: Currently there are none. After the situation stabilizes, the prospects will be mineral extraction, energy (including solar and wind), infrastructure, telecommunications, hotel and restaurant services, and agricultural infrastructure.
The contractual basis between the two states
Currently, there is no bilateral agreement concluded between the Czech Republic and the SAR.
Foreign development cooperation
In 2014, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic supported the project “Urgent health care for the most vulnerable population groups in the prefectures of Ouham-Pende and Nana-Mombere, SAR” in the amount of CZK 1.98 million as part of SAR humanitarian aid. The project was implemented by the non-governmental organization Siriri, which has been active in the Central African Republic for a long time. At the beginning of December, the government of the Czech Republic decided to provide a humanitarian donation to the Central African Republic. The bridge, later named “Ange of the Czech Bridge”, was sent to Bangui in mid-December 2014.
In 2014, a small local project “Education aux écoles du région de Bozoum – Ensuring education in the schools of the Bouzoum region” was implemented in 2014 in cooperation with the non-profit church organization Caritas Centrafrique. The project aimed to secure teaching in eight schools in the area for a period of three months. The paid wages of only 30 Euro/month to 79 teachers (i.e. a total of 200,036 CZK) made it possible to start the school year and continue teaching. Bouzom thus practically became the only region of the Central African Republic where the school year could start as planned.
As part of the development aid of the Czech Republic, a small local project “Reinforcement of livestock breeding in Carmel de Bangui – Bimbo, camp de déplaces, République centrafricaine – Strengthening of cattle breeding in the Carmelite refugee camp in Bangui – Bimbo, Central African Republic ». The project aimed to replenish the stock of cattle raised for the subsequent sale of meat, milk and milk products in order to provide sustenance for the local refugee camp. The original herd suffered significant losses caused by objective facts, such as theft, death due to diseases, etc. This goal was achieved – on November 15, 2016, 25 cattle worth CZK 385,520.31 were purchased. The concrete effects of the increase in the number of livestock will only be felt after some time.
In 2017, the project “Improving teaching in primary schools in the Ouham-Pendé and Nana-Mamberé regions” was implemented with SIRIRI, starting with the provision of training for local teachers in modern pedagogy and the acquisition of didactic murals for teaching in the local language.
In 2018, a small local project was implemented: “Expansion of the most successful Central African grammar school – construction of two classrooms in the grammar school of St. Augustine in Bozoum”. The project manager was the Czech non-profit organization SIRIRI, which has been active in SAR for 13 years, and ZÚ Abuja regularly supports its activities through MLP project calls. In the past, it supported, for example, the production of the first ever syllabaries in the national language of Sango.
Contacts
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in the FederalRepublic of Nigeria has diplomatic and consular jurisdiction for SAR.
Contacts at the embassies of the Czech Republic in the territory
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Gnassingbe Eyadena Street, Plot No. 5
POBox 4628
Asokoro, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigera
tel.: 00234-7037571096
commercial and economic section: 00234-8055056091
e-mail: abuja@embassy.mzv.cz
obch. economic section: commerce_Abuja@mzv.cz
Contacts with territorial departments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, representation of other Czech institutions in the territory (PaulTrade, CzechInvest, CzechTourism, Czech Centers)
Czech Centers, Czech Trade, Czech Tourism and other Czech institutions do not operate in the country.
Practical telephone numbers in the territory (emergency services, traffic police, firefighters, information lines, etc.)
Embassy of France
Adresse: Avenue Charles de Gaulle – BP 784 – BANGUI Telephone
: [+236] 21 61 30 10; [+236] 72 72 68 88; [+236] 70 02 86 90
Email: amba@diplomatie.gouv.f, admin-francais.bangui-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Website: http://www.ambafrance-cf.org/
Police (Commissioner): Tel: +236 21.61.13.00
L’Institut Pasteur de Bangui: +236 21 61 08 66 / +236 21 61 01 09
Email: ipb@pasteur-bangui.org
Addresses of major institutions:
Ministere du commerce et de l’Industrie
BP 1988 – BANGUI République Centrafricaine
Tel.: + (236) 21 61 10 55 / + (236) 21 61 26 04
Email: infos@minco-rca.org
Chambre de commerce, d’industrie, des mines et de l’artisanat (CCIMA)
BP 252 & 813 Bangui
Tel..: (236) 21 61 16 68/21 61 64 19
Fax.: (236) 21 61 77 58
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie, des Mines et d’Artisanat de Centrafrique
Rue du Docteur Noël Ballay – BP 252 et 813 – BANGUI
Tel.: (236) 61 16 68 – Fax: (236) 61 56 60
Internet information sources
- www.cia.gov
- www.allafrica.com
- www.irinnews.org
- www.acap-cf.info
- www.izf.net
- www.africatime.com
- www.primature-rca.org
- www.journaldebangui.com
- www.wto.org
