Cameroon Business Forum (CBF)

April 14, 2009

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The Cameroon Business Forum (CBF) is a platform for public private dialogue to enhance business environment in Cameroon.

The programm is support by IFC (International Finance Corporation) World Bank Group, according to the MOU signed with the Government of Cameroon and the private sector, represented by Chamber of commerce and GICAM as mains stackeholders.

PRESENTATION

1-The Goal

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2- The Objectives

The mains objectibes are:

•Create an adequate business environment / investment climate,

•Create the foundation for ongoing, structured dialogue between the public and private sectors;

•Increase the influence of the private sector over the country's economy.

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3- The Organizational StructureThe CBF comprises two level structure described as follows:

•3.1. The Forum

•The Forum, the higher body of the CBF, meets twice a year. The Forum is chaired by the Prime Minister.The participants include, on the public sector side, key ministers concerned by the meeting’s agenda, and on the private sector side, its designated key representatives..

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• The Forum decides upon topics worked out and presented by the permanent secretariat. Based on an in-depth analytical work carried out within the working groups, proposals reach the CBF in the form of position paper or reports on specific issues including relevant recommendations. The Forum’s outcomes are consolidated in an action matrix that indicates for each action, the expected outcome, deadline and execution’s responsibilities.

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• 3.2. The Permanent Secretariat

The Permanent Secretariat comprises:

i. The operational units, respectively in charge of managerial, technical, monitoring, informational and promotional functions;

ii. The working groups in charge of thematic or sector issues.

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The Permanent Secretariat is the hive in which work is prepared, planned, organized, executed and monitored. Its tasks include general management and coordination, information and communication, preparation and organization of meetings, studies, position papers, drafts of legislative or regulatory proposals, monitoring of recommendations’ implementation.

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The Working Groups

• The working groups, made up of both public and private sector representatives, are the brain of the CBF and within each group, specific reform agenda items are determined and processed. Each working group (WG) is co-chaired by both public and private sector representatives. The Working Groups determine their annual work plans and meet regularly.

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4- FY09 MAP ROAD

The FY09 road-map has been prepared and submitted to the Government for approval.

1. As Baselines

• CIESP review (interminiterial committee extend to private sector) in reference of the lst meeting attended in november 2006

• The Doing Business Mémorandum

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2. As Activities and Priorities

– Business entry: reducing formalities and cost for business start-up;

– Paying taxes: simplifying procedures to reduce delays and cost for paying taxes;

– Enforcing contract: feasibility study for the implementation of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism such as the commercial court;

– Trade across boarder: reducing of delays and procedures for goods uploading by harmonization of local documents with the IMO (International Maritime Organization) seven standard documents.

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The next important milestones for the CBF are:

• Desk review and cross referencing with Cameroon’s key doing business Indicators, of Government interministerial committee’s meetings recommendations;

• Technical Assistance activity focused on improving Doing Business ranking;

• Establishment of A new Working Group in acces to finance • Establishment of Private Sector Coalition, in order to facilitate

public-private dialogue.• Building capacities of Working Groups• Planning the first session of CBF

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Thank You!