This year’s democratric elections will be the first since 1960.

You signed a historic peace accord in April 2003 under which you remain as head of state during a transition period of two to three years. After this, the country’s first democratic elections since 1960 will be held. What further challenges lie ahead?

Joseph Kabila: We need help with the funding of the elections, and we are looking to the international community for this. The next big challenges will be to ensure peace and security after the elections, to maintain political and economic stability, and make sure that development becomes a reality.

The DRC is one of the largest countries in Africa and has huge economic and natural resources. What are you looking for in potential investors and what is being done to attract them?

The DRC could be one of the richest countries in Africa but it needs expertise, finance, technology and know-how. We are making the country more attractive for investors. In 2002 we adopted an investment code to cut the red tape and the bureaucracy that surrounded the creation of companies and to make it easier for foreign companies moving here. We also have a one-stop shop, the National Agency for the Promotion of Investments (ANAPI).

What sectors hold the most potential and where do your priorities for reconstruction lie?

Mining has been one of the DRC’s stronger sectors, but we need investment, technology and long-term experience. For this we’re looking to the U.S., Australia, Canada and South Africa. There is definitely potential and we have to exploit it. Agriculture represents around 50 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), but the problem is that this is not mechanized. We need investment and expertise in order to raise the country’s output. We also have potential in oil and petroleum. Our current production is 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the offshore terminals, but with time we aim to increase production to 100,000 bpd and more.

However, no economic sector can be successful without solid infrastructure. Under the current World Bank program we are rebuilding what has been destroyed by over 40 years of neglect. This is our main priority and 60 percent of everything we have received has gone into reconstructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

How do you see the future of the DRC?

Our country is potentially the engine of Africa. After the elections, there is nothing to stop Congo from taking off.