By NDUMBE BELL GASTON
Cameroonian economic operators have been called upon to assist in building a network of opportunities and promote trade in order to ascertain growth in companies.
This was the integrated theme of a one-day workshop organised by Société de Commercialisation de Banque (SCB), a member of the Attijariwafa Group in collaboration with the Africa Development Club (ADC) where it is registered as a member.
The workshop which took place on October 29 in Douala brought together senior officials of the public-private sector partnership in Cameroon.
The General Manager of SCB Cameroun, Mohammed Mejbarwas said, to have remarked that the group was already a strategic partner in Cameroon’s development process and continued that the bank was available to facilitate trade procedures for all economic operators wishing to supply their goods domestically or through efforts made by exporters. His speech was in line with the vision of Mohammed Kettani, Group General Manager of the Attijariwafa Bank Group who had earlier mentioned that “in a world which is constantly evolving at an ever faster pace, our continent has also changed due to its strong economic and demographic growth, its natural and agricultural resources, and a newly emerging class of consumers. It has emerged as a growth catalyst for international investors to the point that Africa is now considered as the new frontier. Africa has changed because it has broken free from the old and begun a new process of profound transformation”, he explained.
The Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga appreciated the efforts made by the organisers and stated that South-South cooperation is one of the underlying objectives of the state. He applauded Pan-African cooperation which had been the bottom line of the Kigali Agreement and ratification of the Bali Agreements. Africans, he continued, should take advantage to trade with each other because of the continent’s huge market potentials of about 1.4 billion and sold the immense opportunities available in Cameroon.
This was followed by the D.G. of Africa Development Club, who spelt out the objectives of the club where its members regroup to build a network of opportunities together.
The BEAC representative said that they have made reforms and now exchange control authorizations are no longer granted by commercial banks and this has helped economic operators minimise delays. He then declared that “S.C.B. has no problems with BEAC”.
CCIMA representative encouraged agro-industrial transformation of local products before commercialisation.
The Guichet Unique (GUCE) representative told economic operators that on-line transactions of documents have not only reduced delays, they have cut costs, and have excluded personal sentiments in import and export procedures and other arrangements .
Mme Fotso, who appreciated the efforts made by Guichet Unique, was the recipient of a special prize handed over by the General Manager of SCB Cameroun, in recognition of her business exploits. She replied: “I receive this in the name of women. Let’s not always complain but contribute our little quota to make Cameroon a great place”.
Officials at the workshop included those from BEAC, Guichet Unique, the Chamber of Commerce, the Director of the school of Economics (ESSEC) of the University of Douala, Madam Fotso, an internationally reputed cocoa dealer, the Director General of Africa Development Club and the Minister of commerce Luc MagloireMbargaAtangana, among others.