Senate President invited to OIC Conference

The President of the Senate, Marcel Niat Njifenji, has been invited to take part in the forthcoming conference of the Organisation of Islamic Countries, OIC, from January 19-23, 2015 in Turkey.

The Turkish Ambassador to Cameroon, His Excellency Ömer Faruk Dogan, made the disclosure after meeting the Senate President on December 31, 2014. He said that, the invitation was from the Speaker of the Turkish National Assembly. Pointing out that Cameroon was also an OIC member, the Ambassador said the visit would enable the two sides to strengthen their legislative ties.

Talking about 2014, Ömer Faruk Dogan mentioned the security challenges facing Cameroon with regards to the fight against Boko Haram. Terrorism, he added, was a major hindrance to development, pledging his country’s readiness to share its experience in fighting the ill with Cameroon.

Relations between Cameroon and Turkey dates as far back as the 1960s when Turkey recognised Cameroon after its independence.

It opened an embassy in Yaounde on January 15, 2010. Then President Abdullah Gül visited Cameroon from March 16-17, 2010; while President Paul Biya was in Turkey from March 25-28, 2013. Several agreements were signed by the two leaders during their visits. Earlier in May 2012, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, visited Turkey.

Trade between Cameroon and Turkey has grown in leaps and bounds in the past decade. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Cameroon was the country’s 14th largest export market in 2012.

This was worth 116 million US Dollars (about FCFA 62.7 billion), up 1,070 per cent from 2001. The top export commodities were iron and steel, salt, sulphur, plastering material, lime and cement, flour, electrical machinery and equipment.

On the other hand, Turkey was Cameroon’s 11th largest importer in 2012. Cameroon’s exports to Turkey totalled 30 million US Dollars (about FCFA 16.2 billion); an increase of 237 percent from 2001. Main export commodities were wood, charcoal, cocoa, rubber and plastics.