2010-07 - Korea IT Times

Country Report
Overview of the Republic
of Côte d’Ivoire
1893, when it became a French colony.
Starting from 1904-1958, the Colony of Côte
d'Ivoire was part of the Federation of French
Western Africa with it's headquarters located
in Dakar, Senegal. On December 4th, 1958,
following the "Loi Cadre," also known as the
Overseas Reform Act, the Colony of Côte
d'Ivoire was proclaimed the Republic of Côte
d'Ivoire. However, it still remained a member
of the French community. This Overseas Reform Act transferred
a number of powers from Paris to elected territorial governments
of colonies from the Federation of French Western Africa. 2 years
later, on August 7, 1960, the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire acquired
independence from the French.
EKRA Kouassi Florent, Ambassador of Côte d'lvoire
Korea IT Times interviewed EKRA Kouassi Florent,
Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire, to learn about the Republic of Côte
d'Ivoire on the occassion of the Independence Day, which falls on
August 7, 2010. Through the interview, we are able to take a look
at Côte d'Ivoire's history, politics and economy.
Introduction of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire is a country located in West
Africa that borders the Atlantic Ocean in the South, Mali and
Burkina Faso in the North, Ghana in the East, and Liberia and
Guinea in the West. The political and administrative capital of
the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire is Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan is
the economic capital. The country's total population is 19 million
people and their official language is French.
Economic Background
The economy of the country relies on agriculture, agro-allied
industries and import substitution manufacturing. Some of it's
main productions include cocoa, coffee, rubber, pineapple, palm
oil and bananas. In the mining sector, the country has gold, diamond,
manganese, iron ore, offshore oil and natural gas deposits.
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire accounts for 41 percent of the combined
GDP of the West African Economic and Monetary Union
(UEMOA), which has a total of 8 member countries. Some of the
major overseas trading partners include the European Union, the
United States and ECOWAS Member States. There are also
trade relations with Korea. From 2004-2006, the trade exchange
between Korea and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire was about USD
60 million. By 2008, it reached USD 110 million and decreased
slightly to USD 95 million in 2009. Some exports the Republic of
Côte d'Ivoire sends to Korea include cocoa, timber and oil, while
Korea imports fishing products, garment items, pharmaceutical
products, books trades, plastics, rubber, cars, chemical products,
textile fibers, clinker, machines, electronics, road building equipments
and transport equipments into Côte d'Ivoire.
Daniel Ko/ danielko@koreaittimes.com
Political Background
The country has a multiparty political system with a presidential
regime. There is the President of the Republic, 175 Members
of the National Assemby, the Mayors and the President of
Regional Councils who are all elected for 5 year terms. The major
political parties are FPI (The Ivorian Popular Front), PDCI
(Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire) and RDR(Republicans
Rally).
Historical Background
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire's history dates back to March 10,
A Picture of Abidjan, the Economic Capital of Côte d’Ivoire
www.koreaittimes.com 57