By Ndumbe Bell Gaston in Douala
It took the joint effort of the Court of Arbitration of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts (CAM-CCIMC), the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), the Association for the Promotion of Arbitration in Africa (APAA) and the Cameroon Bar Association, to organise the first ever China-Africa Arbitration Day that wrapped up recently in Douala.
The all-embracing focus themed ‘The issue of resolving Commercial and Investment Disputes through Arbitration and Mediation in the Context of Investments between Africa and China’, was acclimatised by the moderators and the many key speakers who took turns urging participants to deepen their commitments in creating mechanisms, protocols, guidelines and upgrading capacities so as to resolve issues arising from the lack of respect of the partnership deeds. Other shortcomings found to be inimical to the growth of confidence in the business environment, respect for the rules and regulations therefore causing a final drawback to the win-win objectives aimed at improving economic cooperation between Africa and China, were mentioned.
Participants from Asian, Near East and other international arbitration and mediation groups made an overview on the development and experiences with China and the activities of some African arbitral awards in the OHADA area. According to the organisers, all the key objectives of this first edition were met. The SUN gathered that some of them are to promote alternatives and make arbitration and mediation the only efficient framework to find solutions in the event of commercial conflicts between Africa and China. “It has been an opportunity to reinforce economic ties by creating favourite commercial climate and improving an environment of trust and material cooperation. It’s a forum for experts, jurists and entrepreneurs to share best practices and experiences to improve the quality and efficiency of procedures. The session has offered the development of competence through training and perfection. They are committed to the promotion of justice, equity and transparency while respecting the principles of justice in commercial ties. The forum has advanced the creation of a legally binding framework to discuss the changing rules and regulations necessary to facilitate arbitration and mediation between Africa and China. The sitting reinforces international cooperation, partnership between Africa, China and the rest of the world for peaceful coexistence”, The SUN gathered.
In a press briefing, the President of the Association for the Promotion of Arbitration in Africa, Gaston Kenfack D. said he found it expedient to propose an arbitration conference for Africa and China because of the growing dependence of the two large markets. The representative of President Christophe Eken of the Chamber of Commerce (CCIMC), Djeuhon Frederic said China is helping to build Africa and Douala being the economic capital of CEMAC, many business men partner with the two blocks. So in case of conflict, arbitration agreement will find peaceful solutions to the problems.
The President of the Cameroon Bar Association, Mbah Eric favours the universality and uniformity of courts of arbitration. He clarified that Douala was chosen because of the geo-economic position that Cameroon occupies in West and Central Africa (CEMAC) and having the advantages of the world’s two most used business languages.
China and APAA formally sign MoU
Group photo of participants at signing of MoU event