12^th Ordinary Session of the Steering Committee launched on 1 December 2021 in DRC

Mr. Marc Ekila Likombio, DRC’s Vice-Minister of Transport and Channels of Communication, presided over the launching ceremony of the 12^th Ordinary Steering Committee Meeting of the Union of African Shippers’ Councils (UASC).

 In his welcome address, the Director General of the Office of Multimodal Freight Management (OGEFREM), Mr. Olivier Manzila Mutala, applauded the high turnout of member shippers' councils of this specialized body of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa.

Speaking at the event, DRC's Vice-Minister of Transport and Channels of Communication underlined that "the involvement of African Shippers' Councils is more than necessary and will be greatly appreciated, as they can take measures to facilitate trade, help to reduce transport costs and related expenses, improve the fluidity of transport chains through which our goods are transported via the construction of infrastructures and other logistical facilities which will foster economic growth while alleviating poverty and misery in our countries."

These UASC working sessions are holding at a time when shippers' councils must prioritize the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), for the emergence of a competitive African market. It will equally benefit the entire continent if UASC were to become a specialized body of the African Union and have its actions implemented on a continental scale.

At their meeting scheduled from 1 to 3 December 2021, members of the Union of African Shippers' Councils (UASC) mainly discussed on the state of affairs of the Union at a time when shippers' councils are faced with a number of challenges.