At launch of activities: Finance minister lobbies ATIDI to build subregional headquarters in Y'de.

The minister was speaking as he opened the first workshop of the ATIDI in Yaounde. The high-level workshop opened in Yaounde yesterday.

Minister Motaze who sat in for Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, enunciated the economic instruments at the disposal of the ATIDI, that if Cameroonian economic operators take advantage of, he said, they could be placed in a better stead to compete effectively with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

He mentioned specifically the tailoring of ATIDI solutions to meet not only local needs, but to bring them in line with the vision of Cameroon’s strategic national economic development plan, SND 30.

Minister Motaze was corroborated by Moh Sylvester, the Director General of Treasury, Financial and Monetary Cooperation at the Ministry of Finance, who described ATIDI as a veritable financial power house capable of building resilience in many African economies.

He narrated how ATIDI has been able to revive national airlines of some countries by guaranteeing loans for air companies to purchase new planes.

Moh stressed that, though ATIDI does not give direct loans to potential investors, its recommendations on well-articulated projects could convince governments and other creditors to give money to investors approved by the insurance company.

With investments of more than one thousand billion FCFA across the world, Moh said the coming of ATIDI to Cameroon is a potential boon to small and medium sized enterprises if they cease the opportunity to get their projects financed.

The Treasury Director General announced that the government of Cameroon already has 95 shares worth 15 billion FCFA in the company. He gave assurance that government will try to increase its share capital so as to have a greater voice in managing the company. 

ATIDI, from his personal investigation he said, helps small and medium sized enterprises to set up and better manage their enterprises. That was the reason why Moh encouraged local economic operators to take advantage of all that the company offers.

What ATIDI offers

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of ATIDI, Mauel Moses, said their products are tailored to suit the African investment climate. 

He said their team of skilled professionals gives local investors accurate pictures of the risks associated with any venture, in any of the four economic zones of the continent – Central Africa, West Africa, South Africa and North Africa.

Holding under the theme: “De-risking Trade and Investments in Central Africa”, the CEO said they offer unique insurance products that are flexible; and cover risks that are frequent when dealing with small and large exports, imports, investments and contracts on a short-to-medium- or long-term basis.

He said his company can also insure, co-insure and re-insure transactions between business partners who enter into different transactions.

The CEO also disclosed that ATIDI has a global network of powerful financial partners whose reinsurance capacities and market intelligence are breaking grounds around the world.

European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank, also participated at the Yaounde workshop to show support for ATIDI.

In this wise, Roger Stuart, Head of Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, of the European Investment Bank, told journalists that his institution attaches great importance and solidarity to what the ATIDI has been doing in other African countries. 

For that reason, he said his institution had to offer financial support to government to enable Cameroon become a member. 

He stated specifically that the European Investment Bank made available to Cameroon, the sum of 480 million Euros, in the form of support. He expressed personal delight to see ATIDI established in Cameroon at last.

The rejoiced that with the coming of ATIDI, small projects could start taking off while big financiers like his institution are involved in big projects like the construction of the Natchigal Hydro Electric Dam.

The bank boss encouraged local investors to take advantage of ATIDI´s capacity to support small and medium sized enterprises and expand their operations.