Business

The Cameroonian Minister of Public Procurement has just launched a request for proposals, for the supply of 1,661 tons of fertiliser as part of the application of the project supporting the use of fertilisers in the cocoa and coffee sectors. The value of the contract is FCfa 772.7 million, we officially learned.

In concrete terms, we learn, the service provider to be selected by the Cameroonian government is expected to deliver 283 tons of fertiliser to cocoa producers, 959 tons of root fertiliser for Robusta coffee, 419 tons of root fertiliser for Arabica coffee, then 2,700 litres of foliar fertiliser.

According to the Ministry of Public Procurement, the bids from the companies interested by this contract must be submitted latest by 8 August 2016 at the offices of this ministry in Yaoundé. This contract is funding, we learn, by the Cocoa and Coffee Sector Development Fund (FODECC - Fonds de Développement des filières Cacao et Café)

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Rita Akana

22.Jul.2016

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The State of Israel through MASHAV has provided urgent assistance to Cameroon to help fight the spread of the bird-flu epidemic affecting the country. The Israeli Embassy in Cameroon initiated and organized the arrival of emergency protective equipment in coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Cameroon’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries.

The protective gear was personally delivered by Israel’s Ambassador to Cameroon Ran Gidor and the Embassy’s staff to the Veterinary Services Laboratory in the outskirts of Yaounde.

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Rita Akana

22.Jul.2016

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This is a fairly well-known fact in Cameroon, business products, especially SMEs, are not always present in local markets all over the national territory. Several reasons may explain this situation: not only financial but also logistical problems, challenges and strategic choices of the companies ... In fact, a company can focus its core market at the expense of the rest of the markets in the Country.

Just as the company can make a clear choice to enter only part of the opportunity in the market to sell its products, which also influences its production capacity and distribution, it can also maximize these revenues, according to observers . And thereby not focusing on the most promising markets. If selling products at Kye-Ossi brings a company more attractive margins than sales in Douala for example, then the firm will  sell at Kye-Ossi first and then in Douala, as a second option if the stock is enough.

Martial Bella, Managing Director of GIC-Bellomar, an SME that produces soaps, detergents, bleach, and shower gel, does not market his brand "Samurai" in Douala and Yaoundé, because of his company's low production capacity and finances.

The harsh laws of expensive supply chains, financial constraints, or sometimes a company’s strategic choices, mean that not all “Made in Cameroon” products make it to all nationwide store shelves. On the contrary, many manufacturers limit their sales to the key  hotspots of Douala and Yaounde so as to limit financial expenses.

It's the same situation for Jean Aimé Wokhui, promoter of Biocharis Ltd., which manufactures cocoa honey caramels. He is forced to limit his distribution network to 40% in the economic capital.

Other reasons cited by marketers to justify the absence of Made in Cameroon in some cities are among other strategic reasons, perhaps related to a source of supply of raw materials. But how to understand that companies that do not make any of these strategic choices, produce enough, but the product is still not reflected in the entire country.

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Christian Happi

21.Jul.2016

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After close to two months of crisis due to the discovery of bird flu outbreaks in four regions (Central, Southern, Western and Adamaoua) in the country in May, operators in the poultry sector are breathing a sigh of relief.

Indeed, after the lift of the ban on the sale of chicken in the Southern region, the governor of the Western region, Awa Fonka Augustine, also officially lifted, on 15 July, this ban for the Mifi and Koung-khi districts, located in this production area representing roughly 80% of the Cameroonian poultry sector.

Moreover, these sales will be conducted exclusively, we learn, in test markets specially set up on sites deemed sanitary, with the support of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (Minepia).

However, though they are content with this significant progress with relation to the bird flu crisis, poultry farmers from the top production area in Cameroon bemoan being constrained to sell their production locally. This especially as the ban on the sale of chicken is still in force in the Cameroonian capital, a storage or transit destination for cargo heading to other regions in Cameroon or even neighbouring countries.

BRM  

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Rita Akana

21.Jul.2016

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Within the framework of a convention between the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA) for the surveillance and control of fishing activities in the Cameroon waters, another fishing vessel named the Liao Lulhuyu was caught by the National Marine on the 13th July in the SONARA exploitation area.

The National Marine brought the vessel to Limbe and handed it over to MINEPIA services to follow up the normal procedures. According to the law, the company that owns the fishing vessel has the right to apply for an amicable settlement, if not, depending on the gravity of the crime committed, MINEPIA can engage a legal action against the company.

According to the South West Regional Delegate of MINEPIA, Dr. Walters Andu Ndi, the amicable settlement applied for by the owners of the fishing vessel was actually granted and fines were levied. Another penalty was that the fish caught was confiscated because they fished in a restricted area and as a result, this fish was regarded as state property. The Regional Delegate added that since fish is a perishable product, it was auctioned to the public on Saturday, 16 July, 2016 in Limbe in collaboration with the Ministry of State Property who are the competent body to carry out auction sales.

“We have educated the business persons of the fishing sector to understand the rules and regulations governing fishing activities. Now is the period for action and punishment of those who do not respect the laws. We hope that others will learn from the mistakes for a more responsible and sustainable fishing activity.

Cameroon Tribune

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Rita Akana

20.Jul.2016

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During an audience granted  by the Cameroonian Minister of Energy and Water, Basile Atangana Kouna,to the Israeli ambassador in Cameroon, Ran Rigor,the later offered to the Cameroonian government his country’s expertise in the management of drinking water supply and renewable energy development projects.

Emphasising particularly on the difficulties in accessing drinking water noted in Cameroon, Ran Rigor compared Israel to the northern part of the country, facing the threat of desertification. But, he specified, Israel was able to overcome these climate and natural obstacles and turn into a country exporting water. An example which, he claims, could be duplicated I Cameroon.

The Israeli diplomat particularly specified that his country is ready to launch some projects in the two above-mentioned sectors. “The ball is in the Cameroonian camp now”, he said.

BRM

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Rita Akana

20.Jul.2016

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