GICAM calls for preference in 'local products'

The president of the inter-patronal group of Cameroon (GICAM), André Fotso, called on decision makers of his country to opt for national preference, presented as "a powerful elevator of economic growth".

In an editorial published by the internal newspaper of his organization, he argues for the development and implementation of a proactive approach, through a precise legal framework. He also called for incentive measures to assist, accompany and protect the interests of local businesses.

This choice was made by policy makers in the whole of Western and Asian countries to enable the company to truly play its role as a creator of wealth and jobs, in a global economic environment which is difficult, uncertain and unpredictable.

According to him, it is important "to find the right balance between on the one hand, the spirit of free competition in any market economy and, on the other hand, the vital quest to boost economic growth".

The promotion of national preference now deserves more attention, he wrote, denouncing unintended situational elements which increase recent prices of fuels, the congestion in the port of Douala and the accumulation of added value (VAT) tax credits.

André Fotso decried in passage the thorny problem of the business financing, the question of access to credit occupying he 3rd row of barriers to the development of Cameroonian companies after tax and corruption.

This difficulty, according to him, is even more crippling for small and medium-sized businesses which suffer particularly from the perception "of high risk" associated with them.

In Cameroon, he analyzed, the desire to promote preferential access of SMEs to public procurement is well registered in several policy and regulatory documents and is reflected even in the tasks assigned to certain operational bodies. He noted, however that to deplore it, approaches in this field remain little ambitious.

They faced, in practice, restrictions as well as inherent capabilities and the commitment of the players as to the inadequacy of certain procedures and methods of Government. It also deplores lack of a proactive orientation clearly displayed and shared as well as instruments for monitoring and evaluation.