By NDUMBE BELL GASTON
All is about set to mark the beginning of the 2nd edition of the Nigeria-Cameroon International Trade, Tourism and Cultural Week (N.C.T.C.) to take place in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, from Friday September 27 and to end officially on Tuesday October 1, which by coincidence doubles as Nigeria’s Independence day celebration.
The expected historic event is sponsored and organized by the Nigerian Consulate General in Douala headed by His Excellency S.O. Olaniyan, the Nigerian High Commission in Yaounde, and the Nigerian Consulate General in Buea, of which the organising committee is based in Douala.
The significance of this event which started in 2009 and now rejuvenated to take place every two years, is not only to improve and reinforce the already excellent bilateral relationships existing between the two brotherly nations but it is also to bring together, improve and promote socio-economic ties between ECOWAS which is led by the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the one hand, and CEMAC which is led by the Republic of Cameroon.
The immediate objectives are for the economic players or operators at all levels of the socio-economic landscape from small to big businesses to showcase their different products and discover investment opportunities which were unknown in the past, identify problems and solutions to create positive change in their business climates or environments, learn the rules and regulations governing good business practices in both countries and their respective regions, in order to create a network of trade ties in the public, parapublic and private sectors, The SUN learnt. A cultural caravan is to take place on Thursday, September 26 in Douala with the help of the Douala City Council.
NCTC is also to promote, sensitise and discover their rich and colourful cultural diversities and make of each other an important tourism destination, which unfortunately has been greatly neglected.
NCTC has included seminars for B2B sessions for the participation of financial institutions, enterprises, investors, state institutions and start-ups with the goals of achieving win-win partnerships now and in the long run