Actualités of Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Source: Cameroon Tribune

Heads of states plan a new France-Africa partnership

Catalyst for the new dynamic, the Franco-African Foundation was presented Friday in Paris at the Forum for shared growth.

Four heads of State were present and 500 French and African companies represented at the Franco-African Forum for inclusive growth which was held at the Centre Pierre Mendès France conference in Paris last Friday.

Speaking after the Senegalese President Macky Sall, Gabonese Ali Bongo Ondimba and Côte d'Ivoire Alassane Ouattara, president of the French Republic, François Holland, said in his speech: "Africa is promising and the France is full of projects and that is why we are together".

Previously, the French president stressed in broad strokes that "Africa is our future," because, he explained, is the continent which has the largest population increase and the strongest economic growth in recent years. It is the continent that has the highest potential, not only in terms of resources, but also in terms of capabilities to ensure its development.

It is the continent that is still full of untapped riches. Where the mark of interest and the ambitions that the developed countries and those so-called emerging have for Africa. "If you trust French companies in the rules of law, so we, French authorities, we have to assist Africa in the financing of its projects because the key is funding, launched François Holland against the Franco-African business community.

It was also decided to create in France, by the end of the month of March, according to François Holland, a Bank of the export of major international contracts because one of the brakes to export that can meet French companies, is funding. The device will cover all countries and all economic sectors.

In addition, the French Development Agency will invest 20 billion euros in Africa over five years. This commitment made last year, according to the French president is being kept. In addition to this device, financial means are provided to promote financing capital of African enterprises.

Before the speeches of the heads of State, Lionel Zinsou, the project of creation during the Franco-African Foundation for growth, introduced this instrument.

According to his explanation this Foundation is a catalyst for the revival of the economic relationship between the France and Africa. It will bring together energy companies, civil society, local communities, the lifeblood of France, throughout Europe and Africa, in support of States, to accelerate and improve the quality of economic growth for the benefit of France and Africa.

Prestige Communication, official partner of the Paris Forum, gave participants a copy of the magazine "l'essentiel des relations internationales", the latest issue which is devoted to African economic dynamics.