An inter-governmental consultation meeting on cooperation is underway in Yaounde. Senior officials from Cameroon and South Africa are meeting in Yaounde within the framework of the inter-governmental consultations between the two countries to appraise bilateral cooperation, review the implementation of agreements and discuss projects identified as priority to the development of Cameroon, whose execution could benefit from the South African partnership. The delegations from the two countries in the consultation meeting are composed of

representatives of key government departments involved directly or indirectly in enhancing bilateral cooperation. Opening deliberations yesterday, the Secretary General at Cameroon??s Ministry of External Relations, Sebastien Foumane said the ultimate aim is to, ?? identify, by mutual agreement, cooperation sectors of projects considered as priority for fruitful development partnerships; stimulate and enhance private investment; and prepare the holding of the first Joint Cooperation Agreement scheduled for the second quarter of 2010??. The key areas of cooperation between Cameroon and South Africa are spelt out in the bilateral agreements. The Economic Memorandum of Understanding and General Cooperation Agreement were signed on September 22, 2006. The two countries on September 3, 2008 signed the health cooperation agreement, the air transport agreement revised in October 2008 culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. Cameroon and a South African Consortium, Built Africa on June 16, 2009, signed a framework agreement on pre-feasibility studies on the economic, technical, environmental and social viability in view of developing hydro-electricity in the Noun and Wouri. President Biya of Cameroon also in May 2009, signed a Trade Agreement between Cameroon and South Africa. The Cameroon and South African government officials before separating today, will examine and explore ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation taking the various agreements as the basis. The delegations of the two countries to the consultation meeting are mostly composed of officials in the domains of small and medium-sized enterprises, education, health, tourism, transport, agriculture, all indicative of the key areas of cooperation. The South African government officials led by Themba Thabethe, Director for Central Africa, besides holding enlarged meetings with their Cameroonian counterparts, are also programmed to have discussions with top officials in the Ministries of Public Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry, Mines and Technological Development, as well as Trade. Prior to the opening ceremony of the consultation meeting, the South African officials headed by the country??s High Commissioner to Cameroon, Ntshadi Tsheole had discussions with Cameroon??s Minister of External Relations, Henri Eyebe Ayissi.
Emmanuel KENDEMEH, Cameroon Tribune

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