Economy said slightly better in rebel-held areas

The economic situation in rebel-held DRC is marginally better than in government-controlled areas, commercial sources in eastern DRC told IRIN on Monday. They said an indication was the black market index which put the franc congolais-dollar exchange rate at 3.6 to one in rebel areas, and 8.2 to one in government areas. However, business in eastern DRC was still poor as the interior was still "very disturbed" and nobody was coming into the towns to buy. Purchasing power had plummeted and severe food shortages were reported in Kindu and Kisangani, the sources said. Mining activity in the region had dropped drastically due to Mayi-Mayi attacks along roads leading to the major towns. Local Congolese were suffering as a result of foreigners coming into the mining areas and flying the minerals out.