AFCFTA

Today, Wednesday, 28 December 2022, at the Douala Maritime Museum, Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda, General Manager of the Cameroon National Shippers' Council (CNSC), officially launched the training seminar for businesses on the implementation of the AfCFTA.              

In his opening remarks, Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda emphasised that the training seminar falls within the framework of the activities of the Adhoc sub-committee in charge of facilitating the implementation of the AfCFTA guided trade initiative in Cameroon. It is worth recalling that this Adhoc sub-committee, which is an operative arm of the AfCFTA national committee, is chaired by the CNSC.

The seminar mainly aims at enabling Cameroonian businesses to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA with a view to enhance their competitiveness and boost trade and investment amongst African states.

Today's session was moderated by Mr. Engelbert Olomo Ateke, AfCFTA negotiator and head of the Economic Policy Unit at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT).

In his paper, Mr. Etienne Cham, CNSC Deputy Director for International Trade Promotion and Coordinator of the said Sub-Committee, presented background information on the AfCFTA and the context of its implementation. Mrs. Hermine Mbarga, an expert in rules of origin, then briefed participants on the "AfCFTA tariff concessions", a key element in all four presentations slated on today’s agenda. The training seminar continues tomorrow with other interesting topics.