After his tour of the departmental customs and indirect tax directorates, Finance Minister Christian YOKA continued his field visits with a visit to the Single Window for Cross-Border Operations (GUOT).

The GUOT is a key link in the Congolese foreign trade chain. This specialized structure's primary mission is to provide the IT and communications services required for data exchange generated by electronic international trade procedures and forms. It pursues several strategic objectives centered around the modernization and optimization of trade procedures. First, it ensures the interoperability of the IT systems of all stakeholders involved in foreign trade, thus creating a coherent and efficient digital ecosystem. The GUOT also contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of national transport and transit infrastructure. By actively participating in reducing costs and transit times, the institution enables Congo's ports, airports, and land borders to become more attractive on the regional and international scene.

Transparency and Administrative Simplification

One of the GUOT's major concerns is improving foreign trade governance. The institution works towards transparency, simplification of procedures, and facilitation of administrative, commercial, and customs formalities. This approach aims to create a more predictable and accessible trade environment for economic operators. Furthermore, the GUOT is implementing concrete measures to significantly reduce the transit time of goods through port facilities and multimodal logistics areas. This optimization of logistics flows represents a crucial issue for the country's economic competitiveness. Looking ahead, the GUOT actively contributes to promoting e-commerce, thus anticipating the shift in international trade toward increasingly digital solutions.

A substantial workforce and new premises

With its 78 employees, the GUOT has a substantial team to carry out its missions. The institution will soon take a new step forward with the construction of its new headquarters, financed from its own funds. This future building will also house a data center, an essential technical infrastructure for the proper functioning of the institution's digital services.

This ministerial visit is part of the overall approach of the Ministry of Public Portfolio to assess and support the development of the structures under its supervision, particularly those that play a key role in facilitating foreign trade and modernizing the country's economic administration.

The Communication Unit of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio