The Canaries/Africa Regional Chapter (CARC) of the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) with the support of the Cameroon National Shippers' Council (CNSC) held its 7th general assembly meeting in Bonanjo, Douala, on October 25 and 26.

The assembly discussed strategic issues related to the functioning of the organisation, capacity building for cargo handling practitioners in a bid to step up efforts to ensure greater security at their ports. Ports are high-risk areas and needs security because of the heavy equipment used therein and complicated port transit procedures. Outcome of the meeting ensured that the most effective measures were taken to minimise or eliminate these threats, and this is consistent with the missions of ICHCA to promote safety, security, environmental protection and efficiency in handling cargo by all modes and during all phases of both national and international transport chains.

Robert Nkili, Transport Minister who doubles as Chairman of CNSC Board of Directors, described the outcome of the meeting as crucial, not only for all the countries of the region, but also and especially for Cameroon, which is involved in several development projects, like construction of deep sea ports in Kribi and Limbe, which will involve an intense activity of cargo handling.

To Auguste Mbappe Penda, General Manager of CNSC, cooperation between the CNSC and ICHCA seeks to promote international trade through concrete assistance and coaching of actors in the chain, and this has hitherto marked its greatest expression. Although CNSC has benefited ICHCA's technical support to organize regional and international seminars and important training opportunities received in the field of port management and related topics including managing container terminals, the role of women in the maritime and port sectors and the Spanish model of port management, the training needs of players has increased, the need for the implementation of the process of facilitation procedures and infrastructure will arise more acutely, in order to streamline the flow and optimize operations.

The Ambassador of Spain to Cameroon, Marcelino Cabanas Ansoreno, was present as on the sidelines there were business-to-business encounters between Spanish and Cameroonian business persons.