BY NDUMBE BELL GASTON IN DOUALA
The Chamber of Commerce Douala has applauded the efforts made by Moroccan economic operators to advance the already fruitful bilateral relations through trade with Cameroon.
Those present, of the expected 50-man Moroccan trade Mission, were welcomed by their Cameroonian counterparts at the Chamber’s headquarter precincts last Monday April 22 to begin a visit that will later take them to Yaounde and other places of interest.
Protais Ayangma, vice president of the Chamber who has always represented the President Christophe Eken, told the Moroccan delegation who were accompanied by the Cameroonian Ambassador to Morocco, that it was a great honour to have them here to seek partnerships with Cameroonian economic operators. The objective of such endeavours goes to cement south-south cooperation, enrich B2B sessions with the hope that it is going to promote the reinforcement of trade ties and mutually beneficial partnerships. The vice-president highlighted sectors like insurance, banks, cement industry and listed imports like pharmaceutical products, construction materials, health and other joint ventures whose activities are carried out in the category of small and medium-sized Industries (SMIS) and SMES. The Moroccans were reminded of Cameroon’s strategic economic importance within a regional market of 100 million.
The head of the Moroccan Trade Mission Mr Sophian, assured economic stakeholders and economic operators that they are in Cameroon with the good intentions of ensuring fruitful relations in a variety of sectors. Some of them, he named as training, steel, automobile, modern technology and a host of others. He reckoned that they are a relatively young economy but because of their proximity with the European Union, they have attracted a lot of joint ventures and experience which they are ready to share with Cameroonian economic operators.
The Cameroonian Ambassador to Morocco who arrived with the trade mission first thanked the Chamber for organizing the session in collaboration with the Embassy and explained that for some reason, more members are coming to complete a 50-man delegation. He told the Moroccans that Cameroon has a prosperous and diversified economy in the Central African region. Both countries were encouraged to do joint ventures in agro-industry because Cameroon produces but does not transform the products to have a more lucrative market.
The ambassador listed a number of activities that Moroccans are active in the nation; banking, insurance and construction. Moroccans are very busy in SMES such as the digital technology, automobile, and electricity. Coming back to agriculture, the ambassador reiterated that “we must transform our primary products to facilitate exports”. He said he has tried to ensure that Moroccans consume Cameroonian bananas and pineapples but when transformed, it is good for exports.
Ntumfor Nico Halle started by saying that any businessman has as priority of his investment to make profit, but he has to ensure that the foreign investment is safe, within a peaceful environment, and especially the provisions of a good legal framework of the country he is to invest in. Cameroon, he assured, has all of these. “We have the OHADA law that is checking corrupt practices. Cameroon has launched a big fight against corruption”, Ntumfor then encouraged a win-win package. He also encouraged Moroccans to invest in mining, agriculture and forestry among others. He added that in cases where the Moroccans came and had bottlenecks, Cameroon has well-trained lawyers who would intervene and clear the bottlenecks.
A representative of the Cameroon Shipping Council presented procedures of transit either by air, sea or land. The Moroccan economic delegation and the Chamber of commerce also exchanged gifts.