AfCFTA Implementation in Cameroon
The Adhoc subcommittee in charge of facilitating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Guided Trade Initiative held an evaluation meeting of the first import operation to Cameroon under the AfCFTA preferential regime today at the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council Head office in Douala, Cameroon.
The Chair of the Adhoc subcommittee M. Auguste MBAPPE PENDA who doubles as the General Manager of CNSC hailed partner institutions who are members of the ad-hoc sub-committee for a brilliant job done and tasked the ad-hoc subcommittee to deliver on exports by the end of September 2023.
A major challenge raised during the first importation was the lack of information and knowledge on the use of the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System – PAPSS to test the functionality of this operational instrument. It is worth noting that, other instruments connected to the importation process of the good were tested with success.
At the end of the meeting, the chair called on the ad-hoc subcommittee to fast-track the implementation of the 2023 action plan to meet up with the 2023 target.
Key among the tasks are:
1. Complete the survey of SMEs that are exporting and those with high export potential;
2. Engage in a matchmaking exercise between SMEs in Cameroon & buyers in other GTI state parties;
3. Conduct training sessions for border agencies at major trading points to familiarize them with the AfCFTA package;
4. Conduct the 1st major export under the AfCFTA and;
5. Generate new exports as a result of the agreements with an emphasis on SMEs.
In his closing remarks, the chairman called on members to dedicate more time to AfCFTA so that we can achieve the dream of the Africa we want.
