CMR suspends sugar, cement imports

Cameroon has decided to suspend imports of cement and sugar, as revealed in a presidential instruction to the Prime Minister.

The aforementioned measure, made on 21st August, has just been made public by the minister of Trade who explained it is a means for authorities to protect local industry and employment, and to reassure foreign investors.

It will serve as an intervention after the signature of conventions with a score of international companies, having decided to settle in Cameroon.

For sugar, local production is estimated at 2,5 tons annual, which allows the satisfaction of domestic demand and that the massive imports amounted to 110 million tons for 33 billion FCFA, in increase of 43% compared to 2012.

According to the balance of payments of last year, the cement imports were registered with the rise of about 1121% (873 million tons for 40 billion FCFA) for the studied period.

Concerning this last product, Cameroon, while waiting for the startup of the manufacturing unit of the Dangote, October, it currently has two cement factories in the economic metropolis, Douala.