By Doh James Sonkey
The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute had a working session with a delegation of businessmen from the United Arab Emirates led by Walid Hareb Alfalahi last August 3, 2023 at the Star Building in Yaounde.
The delegation of businessmen who were in Cameroon on a working visit to explore investment opportunities in the country told the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute that they are interested in investing in the aviation, energy and infrastructure sectors and by the open-mindedness of the government. The delegation comprising officials of 5 different companies and led by Walid Hareb Alfalahi said they are in Cameroon within the framework of the Cameroon-United Arab Emirates Economic Forum and were accompanied to the audience by the Director General of the Investment Promotion Agency, Marthe Angeline Minja.
Noting that Cameroon is open for business opportunities and welcoming them on behalf of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister said government has a ten-year plan which aspires to develop its industry and economy. “And to develop our industry, we need to develop infrastructure such as, roads, transport and energy. And I can assure you that we are doing that. And of course, Cameroon needs foreign investors to achieve this goal,” the Head of Government stated, adding that the country is open to foreign direct investment and partnership agreements that will accelerate its growth process.
Walid Hareb Alfalahi said they are visiting Cameroon for the first time noted that the country has enormous potentials and a growing market that can be explored. “From the first meeting, we are beginning to realise that there are a lot of things that can be done with Cameroon. It is really a market that can bring good opportunities for UAE companies and definitely, this is not going to be the last time that we are working together with Investment Promotion Agency.
The visit of the business delegation from the UAE is the fruit of networking undertaken by the Prime Minister – Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute during the Commonwealth summit in Rwanda. It is also the result of strides made by the Investment Promotion Agency.
The meeting was a forum for Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute to present all the opportunities the country offers through the National Development Strategy 2020-2030.