Cameroon has decided to suspend imports of cement and sugar, according to a presidential directive to the Prime Minister.
The August 21 directive made public by the Ministry of Commerce underlined the government’s concern to protect the local industry and jobs and reassure foreign investors.
It came a day after the signing of agreements with about twenty companies, as well Cameroonian international firms doing business in Cameroon.
As for sugar, local production estimated at 2.5 tons per year meets the domestic demand and the massive imports amounted to 110 million tons valued at CFA 33 billion, an increase of 43% compared to 2012.
According to last year’s balance of payments, cement imports have risen by 1121% (873 million tons for CFA 40 billion) in the period under review.
Cameroon currently has two cement plants in the economic capital, Douala, pending the commissioning in October of a production unit by Nigeria’s Dangote company.
http://en.starafrica.com/news/cameroon-suspends-cement-sugar-imports.html
