Cameroon Business Forum Corruption, Main Investment Obstacle

After the opening session on Tuesday, participants yesterday focused on what could be done to strengthen and create an enabling business climate. Participants at the 3rd Cameroon Investment Forum 2009 currently taking place at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel yesterday began serious work aimed at realising the forum??s theme, ??Sustaining Investment and Growth??.

After the opening session on Tuesday which laid the groundwork with exposes on ??Business Action Against Corruption??, ??Corporate Governance?? and ??Governance in Customs and Tax??, participants yesterday duelled on what could be done to strengthen investment and create a business-friendly environment. In the papers presented by Soji Ampampa, CEO of Convention on Business Integrity and Akere Muna, Vice-Chair of Transparency International, TI, both speakers said good business requires accountability and that there is need to establish ethical governance principles and transparent streamlined principles. Akere Muna described corruption as a terrible threat to investment. ??Corruption weakens the investment climate, impedes sustainable development and traps people into poverty??, he said. The TI Vice-Chair advocated a holistic approach to reinforce national integrity system, which he said, would reduce opportunities for corruption. ??Bureaucracy should be a solution for the problem and not a problem for the solution??, he said. The Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, Amadou Ali, said the ministry has developed consultation platforms and is also resolute in reforming the country??s investment system. Jointly organised by the government of Cameroon and the Commonwealth Business Council, the Yaounde forum provides the framework for the government to update existing and potential investors on the progress that has been made on enhancing the business environment. This, with the aim of putting to the best possible use the wide range of human, natural and mineral resources available in Cameroon to create sustainable growth. Other topics treated yesterday included among others; Development Funding: Access to Finance, Building Infrastructure and Business Enterprises, Creating Public ?? Private Partnership to improve Business Environment and Growth from Employment creation. Today, participants will brainstorm on; ??Public Private Partnerships: Accelerating Infrastructure Development??, ??Trade Liberalisation and Economic growth: Strengthening Regional market?? et al. The Commonwealth Business Council acts as a bridge for co-operation between business people and government, concentrating on efforts to help remove barriers to trade, mobilise investment into Commonwealth countries, foster a good environment for business and investment and promote good practice in corporate governance and corporate citizenship. It also facilitates the engagement of the private sector in information communication technology for development initiatives, especially in the least developed countries. The forum ends tomorrow Friday June 19 with the International Investor Day.
Godlove BAINKONG, Cameroun Tribune

Ne manquez aucune actualite !