Enhancing competitiveness, regional integration

Minister Emmanuel Bonde (L) Chaired
 the launching ceremony

Two vital programs launched in Central Africa
The Central African Quality Infrastructure Program (PIQAC) and the Regional Program to Upgrade Industrial Standards in Central Africa (PRMN) were launched in Yaounde on 10 June 2015
The economies of countries in Africa South of the Sahara, especially countries of the Central African sub-region, are characterized by an abundance of raw materials (natural resources). However, these countries have not been able to transform these resources into quality producer and consumer goods that are needed in both the local and international markets.
    Experts observe that despite the huge potential for industrial development of these countries, industries have remained largely embryonic and less diversified. The finished products for the most part also do not meet the standards of quality demanded by consumers.
    This state of affairs only engenders over-dependence on imported goods; the resultant effect being a negative balance of payments and a mitigated contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to the gross domestic product.

    It was with a view to curbing this bleak economic situation of Central African countries that two programs were launched in Yaounde on Wednesday 10 June 2015.
    The first program – The Central African Quality Infrastructure Program (PIQAC) seeks to render the services of quality infrastructure (norms, measures, certification, accreditation, tests and inspection) more efficient and accessible to both producers and consumers of the Central African region.
    It also seeks to enhance integration and economic cooperation among countries of Central Africa and create solid bases in individual countries according to their national realities. The program also aims to reinforce the business capacities of companies within the Central African region especially following the signing of the Economic Partnership Accords EPA by these countries.
    Like the PIQAC, the PRMN aims to reinforce capacities and competitiveness of the private sectors through multi-form support.
    The launching ceremony brought together experts from EU countries, UNIDO, GICAM and reps from the ministries of mines and trade of CA countries. It was presided over by Cameroon’s minister of mines and industries, Emmanuel Bonde.
    Funded by the EU to the tune of about 5.8m euros, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO will work in partnership with CEMAC to implement the programmes.
    It is hoped that by the time the two programs get fully operational, industries will come up to standard, the private sector will enjoy better access to financing, institutions that give support to the private sector would be overhauled and an entrepreneurial spirit will be imbibed by the populations of the target countries notably – Cameroon, Gabon, CAR, DR Congo, Congo, Sao Tome –and-Principe and Chad.
   

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 We need a competitive regional market
 Celestin Monga  – Director of UNIDO
Reinforced regional economic integration and the construction of a competitive regional market are imperative for the survival of the economies of Central African countries especially after the signing of the Economic Partnership Accords (APE). Economic operators in CEMAC region should also be conscious of the urgency to upgrade standards of their products if they must compete in the regional market and be attractive on the global market.