MINCOMMERCE Focuses Priority on Boosting Exports

The Ministry of Trade (MINCOMMERCE) will in the 2013 fiscal year undertake a three-fold programme with the objective of boosting the volume of export of the country and thus improving its trade balance which has over the years been negative. The Minister, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, told the press on Saturday December 1 after defending his Ministry's budget of FCFA 6.171 billion and what he intends to do with the envelop.

Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana said the programmes include "Export Development" which seeks to develop, promote and contribute to diversifying in high added-value goods. He noted that with the programme, some actions like, enhancing exports and diversifying market opportunities, and enhancing the efficiency of the export system, are in view. The expected outcome is the increase in the number of consolidated traditional markets and new ones explored from the original 12 to 25 by 2015. He promised simplified export procedures and support structures for exporters. The establishment of an information centre for exporters is also in the pipeline. "Our aim is to increase the volume of export products from 17.5 per cent in 2012 to 22 per cent in 2015," he said.

There is also an "Internal Market Regulation" programme to organise distribution channels and to ensure a steady supply to the internal market in the context of fair competition. This will be highlighted through an increased building in the number of modern and periodic markets. The third but not the least of the programmes, Mbarga Atangana told the MPs is, "Resource Management." It consists in improving the working conditions of staff through the purchase of equipment and upgrading of facilities.