Industry, trade, craft and service providers of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts, CCIMA, held their fifth statutory meeting on December 16, 2015, in Douala. During the gathering, members raised concerns about high production costs, little or no subventions, and the flooding of markets with overseas products as factors for the low rate of competitiveness.

The Industrial Department of CCIMA, during the last meeting of the 2012-2015 tenure, discussed the impact of the cost of factors of production on industrial development in Cameroon. The Trade Department did an in-depth presentation on the impact and prospects of electronic trade that is still In its preliminary stage. Other discussions centred on agriculture and agro-industries in Africa and voluntary insurance.

Toussaint Mboka Tongo, an expert in Trade and Development in the Private Sector, opined that the creation of an engineering school in a country where cocoa is still imported to produce chocolate will go a long way to solve some of the problems in the industrial sector. The Head of Crafts Department, Francis Bengofa Tchangou, disclosed that craftsmen do not have social security and in case of incapacitation, they have nothing to survive on.

He said it was important for councils to collaborate more with the numerous craftsmen in their municipalities as most council revenue comes from the informal sector. CCIMA President, Christophe Eken, congratulated members for a job well done. Resolutions to foster the activities of the Chamber will be drawn up during its sixth plenary assembly.