Kinshasa: The formalization of cross-border trade between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been driven by a set of strategic measures aimed at the modernization and efficiency of borders, said the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, during the 3rd DRC-Angola Economic Forum in Kinshasa. According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister emphasized that the formalization aligns with regional commitments, including adherence to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade in Goods. This move promotes the simplification of customs procedures, the harmonization of standards, and the integration of digital border management systems. These measures are designed to reduce bureaucracy and create a more favorable environment for investment, benefiting small and medium-sized traders in formal trade chains. The minister stated that the rules are set out in the World Trade Organization agreements on Trade Facilitation, allowing for greater fluidity of commercial flow and predictability of fee collections. The availability of commercial information on an online platform aims to make operators aware of the requirements and obligations for the trade of goods. The modernization of the Luvo border post was highlighted as an example, aiming to reduce illicit trade, speed up the flow of goods, and increase tax revenue. Cross-border trade plays an essential role in the subsistence of thousands of families and boosts local economies. However, much of this trade occurs in the informal sector, limiting its potential contribution to sustainable economic development and revenue collection by both states. Formalization is seen as a structured, inclusive, and progressive process, supported by concrete measures that facilitate the transition of operators to the formal economy, guaranteeing benefits for both traders and states. Rui Miguêns de Oliveira noted that women and young people are major players in small-scale informal cross-border trade, facing challenges such as high transaction costs, logistical irregularities, and insufficient information. The lack of data also affects authorities, limiting their ability to quantify the real dimension of cross-border commercial movements and develop effective commercial policies. Both Angola and the DRC are parties to the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to include young people and women in trade through instruments like the Protocol on Young People and Women in Trade. The Angolan Executive has been implementing structural reforms to organize and boost foreign trade, focusing on strengthening foreign trade licensing mechanisms and digitalizing processes. In 2021, a bilateral trade agreement was initialed between Angola and the DRC, providing for the establishment of the Simplified Trade Regime (SCR), subject to the importer's registration with their respective Competent Authority. The agreement sets a higher daily value than the legal provisions allowed, considering the extensive land and river borders shared by the two countries. However, the regime excludes cement, fuels, and their derivatives, which must be traded under general commercial terms.