The South Korean Ambassador and MINEPAT boss signed the framework agreement on July 1, 2014 in Yaounde.

The government of South Korea has pledged to disburse close to FCFA 4 billion for the development of projects for the enhancement of contract award and professional training in Cameroon.

The country's Ambassador in Cameroon, Cho June-Hyuck and the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi signed the aid framework agreement in Yaounde yesterday July 1. This was in the presence of beneficiary Ministers of Public Contracts, Abba Sadou and that of Employment and Vocational Training, Zacharie Perevet.

It concerns a 6,400,000 US dollar (about FCFA 3.2 billion) project for the putting in place of a National Institute of Vocational Trainers and Programme Development in Cameroon and 1,600,000 US dollars (about FCFA 800 million) project on online contract award (e-procurement).

Cameroon will by the grant benefit from an extended cooperation in the form of development of Cameroon's e-procurement system, construction of the national institute, provision of equipment and materials in connection with the above-mentioned projects, dispatch of volunteers and experts to share knowledge and experience as well as invitation of Cameroon nationals to training programmes in Korea.

Ambassador Cho June-Hyuck said the assistance will greatly contribute to enabling Cameroon to effectively meet the multiple challenges of development and will further consolidate and expand bilateral relations. "The fruitfulness of such expanding relations is already very visible not only in the domain of development assistance, but also in the investments of Korean businessmen in Cameroon notably, Korean companies participating actively in the Limbe Deep Seaport project and the Limbe Cement Factory by G-Power Cement", he said.

Rejoicing over the fruitful bilateral cooperation, Ministers Abba Sadou and Zacharie Perevet said much is already being done for an effective execution of the projects. Consultations are already underway for the e-procurement project with Korean experts currently in Cameroon for that.

Minister Abba Sadou said the e-procurement project falls in line with speedy and efficient public contracts award contained in vast reforms to improve on the quantity and quality contracts execution. Meanwhile, government has already acquired land for the construction of the vocational institute and three excellence centres in Limbe, Douala and Sangmelima.

"A decree of the Prime Minister has given us land for the construction of the institute besides the National Printing Press, we have sent officials for training in South Korea and we have Korean experts to start work," Minister Perevet said.

FCFA 4 billion grant and touching on life-changing sectors like public contracts and professional training, Minister Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi said, could only come from a trusted development partner like South Korea.