REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN Paix – Travail – Patrie
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REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON Peace – Work – Fatherland
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MINISTERE DE L’ECONOMIE, DE LA PLANIFICATION
ET DE L’AMENAGEMENT DU TERRITOIRE
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MINISTRY OF THE ECONOMY, PLANNING
AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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SECRETARIAT GENERAL
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SECRETARIAT GENERAL
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DIRECTION GENERALE DE LA COOPERATION ET DE L’INTEGRATION
REGIONALE
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF COOPERATION AND REGIONAL
INTEGRATION
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DIVISION DE LA COOPERATION AVEC LES PAYS EMERGENTS
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DIVISION OF COOPERATION WITH EMERGING COUNTRIES
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CAMEROON/SOUTH KOREA COOPERATION
INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE KOREAN BUSINESS CENTRE, A REPRESENTATION OF THE KOREAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION
AGENCY IN CAMEROON
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY, PLANNING AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DATE: 10 NOVEMBER 2011
TIME: 11:00 A.M.
VENUE: DOUALA/ MERIDIEN HOTEL
Ministers,
Your Excellency the Ambassador, The Governor,
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a singular pleasure for me to address you today on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of the Korean Business Centre, a representation of the Korean Trade and Investment Promotion Agency in Cameroon as part of cooperation between the Republic of Cameroon and the Republic of South Korea.
On this occasion, permit me first of all to acknowledge the presence of the very important personalities among us today who have kindly halted their activities to add more value to this ceremony.
May I also avail myself of this opportunity to wish a warm welcome to the Korean Ambassador to Cameroon and his delegation here present. I would like once again to seize this opportunity to extend to his Excellency the gratitude of the government for the fresh impetus and intensification of cooperation ties between Cameroon and South Korea at the time when our country is entering into the era of greater accomplishments during which the contribution of our development partners will be of great value. It is therefore no coincidence if this ceremony is taking place in the aftermath of important political events which were crowned by the recent swearing-in ceremony of his Excellency Paul Biya.
Your Excellency the Ambassador, Ladies and gentlemen,
The Business Centre we are inaugurating today is a response to the numerous appeals of our government and is in line with our Growth and Employment Strategy.
Your Excellency the Ambassador,
As you know, Cameroon has charted her development vision by 2035. The implementation of this valuable tool is a huge task which requires the contribution of development partners. The Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP) which stands
as its implementation framework highlights the priority areas notably attraction of foreign direct investments.
At the level of Cameroon, there is a clear need to understand, own and adapt to the Asian and, above all, the Korean business and development strategies.
Thanks to this Business Centre, we want to believe that the following objectives will be achieved:
Ø Improve economic and trade relations between Cameroon and South Korea;
Ø Intensify trade between our two countries;
Ø Develop local business and service companies and individual support to the establishment and extension of industries;
Ø Improve trade balance; and lastly
Ø Create joint-ventures between Korean and Cameroonian businesses.
To this end, we expect Korean companies to set up in Cameroon in the days ahead and promote multinationals which will generate stable employment opportunities for the youth in the short term.
Your Excellency the Ambassador, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is important to highlight the reforms carried out to improve the business climate, notably fiscal and customs reforms and improvement of governance and transparency, and enhancement of dialogue with the private sector.
The government of Cameroon is determined to pursue improvement of the business climate in order to strengthen business competitiveness and accelerate economic growth.
This effort can be seen through our country’s improved rank in the recent Doing Business Report.
Your Excellency the Ambassador,
Cameroon, a welcoming land is renowned for her legendary hospitality. Your fellow compatriots will find in this country all that is useful for their full development.
Besides, the government is determined to ensure their security and to take all necessary measures for the success of their various endeavours.
Long live Cameroon!
Long live international cooperation!
Thank you for your kind attention.
