Economy

Douala promotion days: City council valorises Made in Cameroon products.

by EMMANUEL WAINCHOM
20 May 2024 14:02
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Douala City Council 4th Deputy Mayor, others visiting stands of local producers

Locally made products were at the centre of attraction at the maiden edition of Douala Promotion Days, an initiative of the Douala City Council. It was organised in the country’s economic capital, Douala, recently.
The promotion days organised at the Akwa banquet hall, was designed to offer opportunities to home-based large, medium, small or very small enterprises to valorise their know-how, their interpersonal skills, and to establish new business partnerships for them in various domains.

The opening ceremony was chaired by 4th Deputy Mayor at the City Council, Marie Dinè Adzogo.

She coordinated a series of round table B2B discussions with the central theme resolving around how to improve access to finance for Cameroonian SMEs, which are upholding the Made in Cameroon concepts through local production

She was accompanied during the discussions by the Littoral regional delegates of Trade as well Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts amongst others.

The local authorities noted that, the promotion days falls in line with the provisions of the General Code for decentralised local collectivities.

This in seen in section II of the said code, promulgated by the law of December 24, 2019, relating “the powers transferred to the Municipalities.

Organisers immortalise Douala promotion days

By this law, municipalities within the framework of economic development are to ensure the promotion of agricultural, pastoral, artisanal and fish production activities, amongst other development actions for municipal interest.

It is in line that the Douala City Council undertook the move to mobilise local small and medium-sized businesses in the Wouri Division around promotional days dedicated to Made in Cameroon.

The deputy mayor said the objective is to strengthen the visibility of Made in Cameroon products and services among national and international consumers.

It was also about promoting the connection of Cameroonian small and medium-sized enterprises or industries with potential buyers, investors and partners, stimulate the creation of partnerships and raise consumer awareness of the benefits of consuming local products.

With the government import substitution strategy, Made in Cameroon products have been earmarked by economist as contributing to the diversification of the Cameroonian market and reducing dependence on imports.

Experts have advised stakeholders to host conferences and workshops on themes related to entrepreneurship, innovation and marketing. This, in order to create awareness campaigns among consumers and set up digital platforms to promote products and services.

In this regard, the council officials said, they are delighted to push local producers to the full potentials, describing SMEs as main actors of social economy.