Small-scale, village agriculture accounts for most of the domestic trade. Most local produce is sold directly to consumers or middlemen at local markets in towns and villages, where imported goods are also sold. Company agents and independent middlemen buy export crops at local markets or directly from the producers for sale to large companies. Most of the country's domestic commerce is managed by West and North Africans and Lebanese, since during the colonial and Marxist eras, Congolese were oriented towards working in the public sector. The country has developed a new investment code to attract foreign investment; however, high production costs, militant labor unions, and poor transportation systems have prohibited investment and domestic productivity.
There is some advertising in the local newspapers and through company publications, handbills, and billboards, but radio stations do not carry advertising. Normal banking hours are 6:30 to 11:30 AM , Monday through Saturday. Shops open by 8 AM , usually close for a midday break, and then stay open to at least 5:30 PM Tuesday through Friday, and are open Saturday morning. They may also be open Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, and Monday morning.