Boosting business ties between Cameroon, Australia: Organisation, Cameroon KNECT, unveils roadmap, holding of economic forum.

The information was disclosed during a press conference in Yaounde on Monday April 22.

The presser was attended by members of the organisation including its Vice President, Sulamithe Engongomo, the General Manager, Carol Manga, and the Government Relations Officer, Bortolo Baitieri Tas.

The aim of the presser was to disclose the blueprint of Cameroon KNECT, which aims to step up cooperation and investment between Cameroon and Australia. 

The press conference was organised after a positive working visit to several structures including seven ministries amongst them the Ministry of External Relations, Ministry of Arts and Culture and Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, where stakeholders expressed their support.

Speaking at the gathering, the General Manager of Cameroon KNECT, Carol Manga, said despite the enormous potential of Cameroon, the nation “was not on the map for Australia in many things”. 

He said this was at a time when foreign investment in Australia is growing rapidly, and the government is striving to open up to the world, deepen trade links and explore new opportunities for the benefit of all Australians.

The Cameroon KNECT General Manager disclosed that Australia's sporting, economic, educational, scientific and tourism achievements in Asia Pacific are numerous. Manga further explained that their wish is to see Africa, and especially Cameroon, benefit from the same privileges. 

Manga also revealed that Cameroon and Australia share common similarities such as multiculturalism, a love of sports and a commitment to culture, which they can be able to tap from in order to strengthen ties.

“What Cameroon KNECT is trying to replicate is we have seen the Australian government, and business work very well with the pacific and it blew my mind. Australia actually invests in that part of the world and many sectors. And I asked myself, why not Cameroon? But Australia doesn’t just get into things. We knew our weaknesses and our strengths. And the strength to partner with Australia is that you have to include sports and culture,” Manga said.

He went further to add that: “Through projects around sports, Australia has developed many commercial, economic ties with the pacific and other countries. Australia deals with so many Countries in Africa, but I do not think the kind of initiative we are trying to do between Cameroon and Australia has started in Africa. This is on a bigger scale and long term”.

Partnership between Cameroon, Australia is essential 

According to Bortolo Baitieri Tas, the partnership between Cameroon and Australia is essential. He, however, indicated that there must be the will to work together in order to achieve their objectives. 

He said Cameroon KNECT will create that bond and serve as a “middle man” for both countries.

“We have the same strength in different areas. So, in the areas where we are strong, what can Australia bring to Cameroon? And in the areas where Cameroon is strong, what can you bring to Australia? What do you need, I'll look for it. What can you bring me, I'll bring back. In actual fact, it is a very simple equation or methodology,” Tas said.

He also told press men that investors from Australia were keen on implementing a plethora of projects in Cameroon. He said that they were going to under-promise but over-deliver. 

Tas also questioned why Cameroon, one of Central Africa's most resilient and largest economies, was not accessing the Australian market despite the quality of its products like cocoa. 

He went further to stress that the country’s “commodity is never exposed to Australia and Australia doesn't have any idea on how good your products are. So, it is about communication, awareness and meeting the right people”. 

During the meeting, it was revealed that there are also plans to establish a consulate in Australia. 

About Economic Forum

The economic forum will take place in Canberra, Australia in October. It was revealed that there will be a lot of other government departments from other countries.

The forum will be a platform where businesses in Cameroon like petroleum, mining and even the coffee industry and other exports, will be looking for new partners.

Through the forum, they will be connecting essential people from essential sectors so that the achievements they will bring are going to benefit each country.

It will also be a platform where Australian and Cameroonian specialists will come together to discuss the issue, identify the areas where there are major flaws and how they can find solutions. 

The platform will be really important for the business in Cameroon to look for new opportunities.

About Cameroon KNECT

It is worth mentioning that Cameroon KNECT is a mobilisation of the Cameroonian community in Australia around the policies of President Paul Biya, who advocate peace, living together, unity, multiculturalism and economic patriotism. 

The organisation is a committed, productive, creative and diverse diaspora that values Cameroon on its cultural, linguistic and geographical bases. 

Some of the priority areas for investment include sports, culture, education, and scientific research.