National Industries lack competitiveness - Gicam

The industrial sector in Cameroon is where the growth rate is the lowest and according to the Inter-Management Group of Cameroon (Gicam), from 2000-2011, it fluctuated between -2 and 2%.

These data were communicated on November 11 during a Gicam debate-dinner, the third in 2015, by Emmanuel Wafo.

In his presentation, the entrepreneur also noted that the contribution of the national GDP in industry fell from 2000 to 2011, from 19.26% to 13, 38%. Based on this worrisome table, the speaker said, "there is a statistical correlation between the degree of industrialization and per capita income in developing countries. Therefore appropriate to change the situation in Cameroon."

"The sector is uncompetitive within 41% of manufactured products on the local market imported (from Europe, Asia, North Africa). The sector is also non-competitive outside. The rate of manufactured exports reached only 5% and is mostly re-exports. In addition, our industrial sector faces constraints such as inadequate internal production units and low sectoral structuring."

Fortunately, there is a "glimmer of hope", said Edouard Ebah Abada, the secretary general of the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development. This is particularly through the 2013 Law on incentives for private investment. The SG had made the list before many industrial companies closed the doors in the past. We must, therefore, ensure that the current fabric disintegrates do no more.

For the private sector, not only should the state continue reforms to improve the business climate, but it must also, as a consumer, subject themselves to "buy national".

The state must also pay off domestic debt faster. The companies, for their part, need to improve their management procedures, subject themselves to ongoing training, pool their resources, etc.