WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/TPR/M/87
28 August 2001
(01-4127)
Trade Policy Review Body
18 and 20 July 2001
TRADE POLICY REVIEW
CAMEROON
Minutes of Meeting
Chairperson:  H.E. Mr. Pekka Huhtaniemi (Finland)
Page
I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY  THE CHAIRP ERSON.....................................................3
II. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE RE PRESENTATIVE OF  CAMER OON..........................4
III. STATEMENT BY THE DISCU SSANT....................................................................................6
IV. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS OF TH E TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY ......................9
V. REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CAMEROON AND ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS....................................................................................................................... .....12
VI. CONCLUDING REMARKS BY  THE CHAIRP ERSON........................................................14
Note: The advance written questions from WTO Members and the answers provided by the
delegation of Cameroon are contained in document WT/TPR/M/87/Add.1.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 3
I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON
1. The second Trade Policy Review of Cameroon was held on 18 and 20 July 2001.  The
Chairperson welcomed the delegation of Cameroon, led by H.E. Mr. Bello Bouba Maigari, Minister
for Industrial and Trade Development, and the discussant, H.E. Mr. Jaynarain Meetoo (Mauritius).As usual, the discussant would speak in his personal capacity and, in accordance with established
procedures, he had made available in advance a broad outline of the themes he intended to raise
(document WT/TPR/D/66).
2. The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the Trade Policy Reviews and the main elements of
the procedures of the meeting.  The Report by the Government of Cameroon was contained in
document WT/TPR/G/87 and that of the Secretaria t in document WT/TPR/S/87.  Copies of advanced
questions, submitted by Hong Kong, China; Japan;  the European Union;  Canada; the Republic ofKorea; and the United States, were transmitted to the delegation of Cameroon (Annex I).  Written
responses provided by the delegation of Cameroon to these and other questions are reproduced in
Annex II.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 4
II. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CAMEROON
3. The representative of Cameroon recalled that since February 1995, the date of the first Trade
Policy Review of Cameroon, the overall situation of the Cameroonian economy had changed
considerably, going from a situation of crisis to an in disputable recovery in all sectors.  This recovery
was due to the determination of the Government to introduce adjustment policies with the assistance
of the international funding agencies.
4. The economic, legal and institutional reforms that had been introduced, not without
difficulties for the people and for the State, had centred on:  (i) the liberalization of the economy so as
to create a successful, competitive market economy;  (ii) reduced State involvement in the trade-
related sectors of the economy and in the petroleum sector and the coffee/cocoa sector;  (iii) the
reform of trade practices through the elimination of non-tariff barriers with the abolition of
quantitative restrictions on imports and export licences and authorizations;  (iv) the reorganization of
the general price system through the establishment of free pricing;  (v) the adoption of laws oncompetition, dumping and metrology controls;  (vi) the reorganization of the following sectors: ports,
electrical energy, telecommunications, hydrocarbo ns and government procurement.  Cameroon had
also adhered to the Organization for the Harmoni zation of Business Law in Africa (OHBLA) Treaty,
and adopted the subregional investment charter, while the national charter was in the final stages of
preparation.
5. The sectoral reforms had included:  (i) the restructuring of the banking and financial sector
through the effective application of the measures of the Central African Banking Commission
(COBAC) for the banks and of the Inter-African Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA) in the
case of insurance;  (ii) improvements to the exchange markets;  (iii) the establishment of a stock
exchange in Douala;  (iv) the creation of a sing le-window facility so as to speed up customs and
taxation formalities; (v) tax and customs reform characterized, inter alia, by the simplification of the
common external tariff and the introduction of value added tax (VAT);  (vi) the adoption of a new,
more flexible labour code;  and (vii) substantial changes in the fields of telecommunications,
transport, agriculture, forestry and the environment.
6. The notifications sent to the Secretariat on 17 July 2001 reflected these reforms;  they
concerned:  (i) anti-dumping action;  (ii) trade-related investment measures;  (iii) trade-related aspects
of intellectual property rights;  (iv) technical barriers to trade;  (v) import licensing procedures;
(vi) safeguard measures.
7. The proactive policy pursued by the Government and the determination of the people had lead
to the recovery of the Cameroonian economy and a surplus on the balance of trade.  This recovery had
been aided by a political environment respectful of the principles of freedom and governance based on
compromise, reconciliation and the shared management of the national wealth.  In addition, with aview to combating corruption, an anti-corruption monitoring unit had been set up within the Prime
Minister's Office.
8. Actions carried out within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community
(CEMAC), the ACP countries, in partnership with the European Union, and the WTO contributed to
the conviction that liberalized, open and fair international trade was a genuine vehicle fordevelopment.  As a keen advocate of international trade and a founding member of the main bodies
responsible for its promotion, Cameroon, like othe r developing countries, was concerned at the
weakness and fragility of its economy and played an active role in promoting liberalization that would
help to develop trade and improve people's living standards.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 5
9. Strengthening of the capacities of human, material and financial resources was essential for
the developing countries.  The Poverty Reduction Programme (2001-2003) sought to create conditions
for sustainable development and pursued the followin g objectives:  (i) to achieve an annual growth
rate in the GDP of 7 per cent;  (ii) to strengthen th e national industrial fabric so as to improve the
quality and added value of exports;  (iii) to find new export products that could act as engines ofgrowth.  The resources allocated under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative would
finance the social dimension.
10. A Committee responsible for following up the implementation of the WTO Agreements and
ensuring legislative and regulatory conformity with the commitments undertaken under these
agreements have been established by the Prime Minister so as to facilitate the integration of
Cameroon into the multilateral trading system.  This Committee was encountering enormous
difficulties owing to the inadequate equipment for data and information processing and the lack oftrained staff.  This situation explained the limited results of the evaluation of the impact of the WTO
Agreements on the Cameroonian economy and the lack of training and information on the part of
economic actors in Cameroon.  Cameroon had requested technical assistance from the WTO in this
field.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 6
III. STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT
11. The discussant, Mr. Jaynarain Meetoo (Mauritius), noted that over a period of about 20 years
the Cameroonian economy had enjoyed the development of its industrial production, its agricultural
exports and its petroleum resources and for a decade it had an annual economic growth rate of 7 per
cent.  Unfortunately, from 1985/86 onwards the eco nomic situation of the country had deteriorated
dramatically not only on account of external factors (fall in the prices of coffee, cocoa, cotton andpetroleum, a steep fall in the terms of trade and the overvaluation of the CFA franc), but also on
account of internal factors (over-dependence on revenue deriving from petroleum, the accumulation
of foreign debts, and the corruption and inefficiency of the judicial system).
12. Despite the lack of investment in the infrastructure and the social sectors that were the
consequence of this depression, the Government had pursued a courageous policy of economic and
monetary adjustment accompanied by structural reforms directed towards:  (i) macroeconomic
stability; (ii) restructuring of the public finances; (iii) economic liberalization; (iv) greatertransparency in the judicial system; and (v) improved access to export markets.  The Three-Year
Economic Programme (1997-2000) put this new strategy into effect and had produced positive results,
in particular a growth rate of 4.7 per cent, an infl ation rate reduced to 3.6 per cent and primary fiscal
surpluses.
13. However, it was accompanied by a rapid increase in levels of poverty, declining school
enrolments, failing healthcare and heavy public expenditure.  The crushing foreign debt had forced
the authorities to appeal to the Paris Club for it to be rescheduled and to the Bretton Woods
institutions for it to be reduced under the en hanced Heavily Indebted  Poor Countries (HIPC)
Initiative.  Certain questions arise:  (i) why had the authorities not taken advantage of the two decades
of sustained growth prior to the depression in order to consolidate the economy and protect it frominternal and external shocks? (ii) how could school enrolment and health have experienced such
serious setbacks in a country where there had been neither conflict nor civil war?  (iii) how are we to
explain this state of impoverishment in which poor people make up slightly over half the population?
14. The adoption of the Poverty Reduction Programme for 2001-2003 was evidence of the
Government's commitment in planning:  (i) the elimination of quantitative restrictions on imports andexports; (ii)  the reorganization of the general price system;  (iii) the promotion of fair and healthy
competition; (iv)  the liberalization of the petroleum sector and the coffee and cocoa sectors;  and (v)
the reform of the ports sector.
15. The reorganization of the tax and customs syst ems had been marked by a broadening of the
tax base, the reduction of tax exemptions, greater efficiency in the operation of the taxation and
customs authorities, the reduction of taxes levied on trade, the abolition of the tax on the export of
products other than forestry products, and the introduction of VAT in place of the turnover tax.However, these measures could only bring success ful results if the external environment remained
favourable and if their implementation was constantly assessed.
16. The report by the Secretariat had pointed out that there was no national independent statutory
body periodically to review the Government's economic and trade policies.  The discussant wondered
whether the Cameroonian authorities were envisaging the establishment of such an advisory andresearch body; and how the Cameroonian Government intended to promote the development of the
private sector.
17. Cameroon's membership of CEMAC appeared largely to determine its trade policy and
practices, although in this respect the report by the Secretariat had noted that trade between Cameroon
and its CEMAC partners was low as compared with the trade flows between Cameroon and its maintrading partners.  The discussant wondered what measures were envisaged so as to increase trade with
the neighbouring countries;  and what benefits accrued from Cameroon's membership of CEMAC.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 7
18. Cameroon had taken various initiatives to encourage foreign investment, estimated at
274 million dollars or 3 per cent of GDP.  In 1996-97 foreign investment had also helped to finance
capital installation and to introduce modern technology and management techniques.  However, it had
decreased in volume in the following years and had b een used to finance the current accounts deficits.
What were the reasons behind such a change of approach?
19. Measures to stimulate foreign investment, such as price liberalization, the introduction of
competition laws and legal reform, had also being taken.  OHADA, whose aim was to re-establish the
legal and judicial certainty of economic activities and to restore the confidence of investors, played an
important role in legal reform and in the reform of the legal framework of business.  Praise was also
due to the efforts of the Cameroonian Government to improve the management of public expenditure
and governance, to ensure greater transparency and accountability and reduce corruption through the
national governance programme devised with the assistance of UNDP.
20. Cameroon was a founding member of the WTO and granted MFN treatment to all its trading
partners.  A National Technical Committee to follow up the WTO Agreements and to assess their
impact on the national economy had been established.  Cameroon had benefited from transition
periods to implement a number of its WTO commitments and had requested waivers for customs
valuation.
21. In addition, a committee to assess the damage caused to local producers by subsidized imports
had been established.  At the end of 2000 Cameroon had still not notified the WTO of the legislative
and regulatory framework in force for anti-dumping or countervailing measures.  Stet hoped that that
omission had been rectified in the meantime.  There was also a law on safeguard measures, but at the
beginning of 2001 Cameroon had still not notified th at law to the WTO.  In April 2001 Cameroon had
likewise not notified the WTO of its technical barriers to trade.
22. Cameroon had called for increased technical assistance with regard to SPS measures,
technical regulations and standards, and testing and certification procedures.  That request should be
supported unreservedly.  Cameroon had pointed out that being part of the multilateral system required
greater consistency and synergy between trade policies so as to prevent the marginalization of thedeveloping countries and encourage greater transparency in the working methods of the WTO.  That
was a view which the discussant shared.  Being himself from an ACP State, he also shared
Cameroon's feelings regarding the need for the WTO to take account of the particular characteristics
of the countries whose markets were seriously disrupted by the erosion of trade preferences, such as
those provided for under the Cotonou Agreement.  There was a need therefore to evaluate the socio-
economic impact of the WTO Agreements and examine the new conditions of market access.
23. Agriculture accounted for more than 30 per cent of GDP and provided employment for about
68 per cent of the working population.  Exports, such as cocoa, coffee, cotton, bananas and timber
accounted for some 23 per cent of total exports.  Since 1994 agriculture had been the subject of
reforms, involving privatization and the elimination of quantitative restrictions on imports and
exports.  Tariff protection was 23 per cent and was above the overall tariff average of 18.3 per cent.
Many privatizations had also been carried out in the agro-industrial sector with a view to improvingcompetitiveness, increasing farmers incomes and reducing poverty.  However, two problems could
well hold back Cameroon's development:  (i) the inadequacy of the road network which hindered
trade flows between the urban and rural areas;  and (ii) the closure in 1997 of Crédit Agricole du
Cameroun.  He would have liked to know what the Government was intending to do to remedy these
two problems.
24. Forests covered an area of 22 million hectares, but only one third was exploited.  He
wondered whether that was due to a lack of foreign investment.  The development of that sector could
have encouraged job creation.  Moreover, in that sector there were restrictions on exports, which,
according to the estimates of wood exporters, represented a loss of CFAF 35 billion.  The authoritiesWT/TPR/M/87
Page 8
could speed up the reforms so as to increase the incomes from business in this sector, while
maintaining the environmental balance, and mi ght think seriously about the possibility of
strengthening the various institutions responsible for following up, evaluating and implementing the
forestry policy.
25. Cameroon's major export commodity was petrol eum, but the country also had bauxite, rutile
and uranium, three resources which were not sufficiently exploited on account of the lack ofinfrastructure and investment.  Cameroon's oil production had steadily declined, mainly on account of
the limited exploration efforts by private investors.  Moreover, the over-dependance on one non-
renewable resource, such as petroleum, was dangerous for the economy of the country and thus the
diversification of the extractive industries was necessary.
26. The manufacturing sector was relatively undeveloped, accounting for around 14 per cent of
GDP and employing 7 per cent of the working population.  A strategy to promote and develop the
manufacturing sector had been adopted in June 2001.  He would like to know the main features of thatstrategy.
27. The services sector accounted for 40 per cent of GDP and employed more than 15 per cent of
the working population of Cameroon.  However, the deterioration of the infrastructure and the
mismanagement of some State-owned enterprises meant that the results were far from satisfactory;
hence the measures taken by the Government, such as  the privatization of enterprises, the elimination
of restrictions, the liquidation and recapitalization of banks, the reinforcement of regulatory and
supervisory capacity, the modernization of banking instruments and the restructuring of the insurance
sector.
28. Tourism had the potential to become one of the pillars of the Cameroonian economy.
Cameroon had entered into undertakings with regard to tourism and travel services under the GATS,but had not taken part in the WTO negotiations on basic telecommunications.  The Ministry of Posts
and Telecommunications had been reformed and privatization efforts had begun.
29. Road, maritime, air or rail transport was of vital importance in increasing the competitiveness
of the Cameroonian economy.  The Government of  Cameroon had undertaken measures with a view
to the restructuring of the ports, the reorganizati on of the national railway company, the allocation of
financial resources for road maintenance, privatization, the promotion of competition and the
participation of the private sector.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 9
IV. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY
30. The representative of Hong Kong, China said that his country was ready to support the
technical assistance activities with regard to the implementation of the WTO Agreements.  The bound
rates only covered three non-agricultural products;  in addition, they were higher than the applied
rates.  Hong Kong, China would like to see the tariff binding extended to non-agricultural products
and the margin between the bound rates and the applied rates reduced.  He went on to urge Cameroon
to adhere to the Plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement, to abolish the price preference
of 20 per cent granted to local suppliers and to und ertake further commitments in the context of the
negotiations on services.
31. The representative of Japan pointed out that his country had already offered its technical
support with regard to the development of human resources.  Japan had inaugurated, with UNDP, a
project to expand the use of information technolo gy in Africa and in Cameroon within the framework
of the meeting of the second Tokyo Conferen ce on African Development (TICAD II) in 1998.
32. Japan would have liked to have seen the binding of Cameroon's customs duties extended to a
greater number of products, and wished to know whether there were plans to do so.  The replacement
of the Brussels Definition of Value with the adoption, as of 1 July 2001, of the Agreement on
Customs Valuation should enable the Cameroonian customs system to become neutral, equitable andtransparent.   The single-window facility for customs formalities, established in December 2000, was
also appreciated.  However, further efforts needed to be made to ensure that goods were not delayed
and to reduce the time required for customs formalities.
33. Japan shared the priority that Cameroon attached to food security through the increase in
agricultural production.  Exports of unprocessed timber were still subject to restrictions;  Japan wouldhave liked to know:  (i) whether that measure was consistent with Article XI of the GATT and
(ii) what system was in force to supervise the production and marketing of wood.  Japan was ready to
undertake further cooperation with Cameroon in the pursuit of sustainable development.
34. The representative of the European Union (EU) drew attention to the main objective of the
Cotonou Agreement signed in June 2000, namely the reduction of poverty, and recalled that EU aid
was directed towards the reform of the coffee and cocoa industries, the transport sector and the
maintenance of the road infrastructure, decentralization, governance and the health sectors.
35. The members of CEMAC had not yet initiated the regional reforms necessary for the
establishment of an operational common market in Central Africa.  Cameroon had still to apply the
CEMAC Common External Tariff (CET) to third countries and a generalized preferential tariff to
CEMAC member countries, conclude an agreement on internal taxation and apply the competition
policy adopted within CEMAC or even the subregiona l investment charter.   The EU urged Cameroon
to continue the implementation of reforms within th e process of regional integration and to take on a
leadership role in this process.
36. Technical assistance was necessary for the implementation of WTO commitments and in
order to facilitate the integration of Cameroon into the multilateral trading system.  The EU would
like to have information on trade between Camer oon and its CEMAC partners and further details on
the liberalization of services.  The EU would also  like to have specific information on Cameroon's
Investment Code, in particular on the system of financial incentives and their relationship with the
Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures.  The EU would also like to have details regarding
the entry into force of the Agreement on Customs Valuation as of 1 July 2001, while at the same time
welcoming Cameroon's intention to adhere to the Multilateral Agreement on GovernmentProcurement.  The EU urged Cameroon to support the opening of a new round of multilateral trade
negotiations.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 10
37. The representative of the United States recalled that her country supported Cameroon's efforts
to increase the volume of its trade and that a bilateral investment agreement had been signed between
the two countries.  Cameroon was among the beneficiary countries of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act, which bore witness to the United States' desire to support Cameroon's efforts.  She
also draw attention to the activities of the United  States with regard to development cooperation,
including debt relief.  The United States would like to have further information regarding theCommittee responsible for following up the WTO Agreements, while at the same time she urged
Cameroon to increase the number of its notifications and improve interministerial coordination.
38. Cameroon had undertaken commitments to liberalize the service sector and the United States
hoped to see such commitments extended to the tel ecommunications sector.  Furthermore, the binding
of its rates - only 15 per cent of Cameroon's tariff lines were bound - would be a significant signal for
foreign investment.  In 2000 Cameroon applied an MFN rate of 18.3 per cent, which was too high and
discouraged not only trade but also investment.  The United States expressed its satisfaction at thebound tariff rates for agricultural goods, while requesting that the ceiling rate of 80 per cent, which
was higher than the applied rate, should be lowere d so as to ensure price predictability for the
consumer.  The United States would also like to have more information on the implementation of the
Agreement on Customs Valuation.
39. The United States went on to express satisfaction at the measures taken by Cameroon to
improve customs valuation and also to reduce the time necessary to complete customs clearance
formalities, which acted as a barrier to trade, while at the same time expressing its concern at the high
costs and slowness of customs procedures.  The United States urged Cameroon to continue its efforts
to promote transparency in its legal system and to pursue its privatization programme, in particular in
the telecommunications sector.
40. The representative of Canada noted that coll aboration with the funding agencies had borne
fruit, and urged Cameroon to continue its anti-corru ption drive, the establishment of good governance
and the improvement of the legal system.  The reforms of the taxation and customs systems and the
laws introduced as part of Cameroon's integrati on into CEMAC were key measures.  Cameroon had
not yet replied to the questions posed by Canada with regard to the Agreement on Trade-RelatedIntellectual Property Rights (TRIPS):  Canada hoped to receive answers to its questions soon.  The
HIPC Initiative would enable Cameroon to develop its rural and industrial activities, improve
education and public health standards and reduce poverty.
41. The representative of Korea expressed his concern at Cameroon's low number of bound tariff
rates and of notifications and he urged it to pursue its efforts to reduce to 48 hours the time required
for all import procedures, to simplify the preshipment inspection procedures and to apply them in a
non-discriminatory manner in conformity with Article II:1 of the Agreement on PreshipmentInspection.  Korea pointed out that excessively high import taxes discouraged enterprises and foreign
imports, and asked what criteria were applied by the administration to decide whether a product was
subject to the reduced rate of VAT.
42. The representative of India supported the request for technical assistance with regard to
technical barriers to trade, the analysis of the impact of the WTO Agreements on economic and social
development and market access conditions.  India w ould like to hear what reasons the Government of
Cameroon could give for the low volume of trade with its CEMAC partners.
43. The representative of Malaysia observed that despite the positive results of the economic
reforms Cameroon had still to confront the challenges of health, poverty and debt.  The diversification
of the economy and the encouragement of foreign investment were necessary to reduce Cameroon'sdependence on petroleum and agriculture.  Measures to stimulate the forestry, agricultural and
petroleum sectors and to support manufacturing production in these sectors were also necessary.  The
developed countries, Members of the WTO, had a role to play in improving market access forWT/TPR/M/87
Page 11
Cameroonian goods.  Malaysia requested clarifications regarding the precautionary principle, while at
the same time stating its interest in deepening its relations with Cameroon.
44. The representative of Morocco urged Cameroon to pursue its economic reforms, and
supported its request for technical assistance in implementation.45. The representative of Gabon urged Cameroon to continue along the course of economic
reform which, he believed, would also be to the advantage of the other CEMAC countries.
46. The representative of the Congo urged Cameroon to pursue its privatization efforts, and
thanked it for the aid provided to the Congo following its many civil wars.47. The representative of Senegal noted the stages through which the Cameroonian economy had
passed and welcomed the efforts made by Cameroon to bring about economic recovery, liberalize its
trade policy and encourage foreign investment.  Cameroon could not show greater commitment to the
multilateral trading system.  Senegal went on to urge Cameroon to continue with the liberalization ofservices and the tourism sector, and supported the request for technical assistance in implementation.
48. The representative of Cameroon stated that since April 2001 Cameroon had submitted a
number of notifications to the Secretariat and confirmed that the Agreement on Customs Valuation
had come into force on 1 July 2001.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 12
V. REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CAMEROON AND ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS
49. The Chairperson invited the representative of Cameroon to focus his responses on the
following three themes:  (i) economic environment;  (ii) trade policy measures;  and (iii) sectoral
policies.
(i) Economic environment
50. The representative of Cameroon referred to the written answers (Annex II) and recalled that
the Government had taken the necessary measures for the improvement of the legal system;  the fight
against corruption;  the promotion of transparency in government procurement and the participatory
management of development;  the privatization of public and semi-public enterprises, particularly
with regard to banking, insura nce, sugar refining, wood processing, telephones (fixed and mobile),
railways, the State Electricity Company of Cameroon (SONEL), while the privatization of the largestagro-industrial enterprise was now taking place.
51. Measures to encourage foreign investment had also been taken within the framework of
CEMAC.  ECAC, which included, in addition to the CEMAC member countries, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Angola and Burundi, was a more recent and more political entity.  Efforts to
achieve harmonization between these two organizations  were now under way.  The low level of trade
between countries of the subregion could be ex plained by:  (i) the poor communications network,
particularly the road network;  (ii) the obstacles ar ising from the forest environment;  (iii) the very low
mobility of labour;  and (iv) political instability.  Efforts were being made to improve the situation in
these fields.
52. The discussant posed two questions concerning:  (i) the search for strategic partners that could
become involved with the State in the process of pr ivatization;  and (ii) the relations of CEMAC with
CADEC or COMESA.
53. The representative of Cameroon pointed out that the privatization had been carried out in
collaboration with the IMF and the World Bank within the framework of structural adjustment
programmes that envisaged no involvement whatsoever by the Government in the sectors ofproduction.  In the sectors of water, energy and railways the Government had handed over their
management to the private sector, while keeping a 30 per cent shareholding.
54. Relations with CEMAC and the other subregional organizations were not highly developed,
but preliminary studies were under way with a view to relaunching the process of regional integration,
although Africa had no plan of action to this effe ct.  The secretariats of the African Economic
Community (AEC), the economic agency of the OAU, would be tackling this task.
(ii) Trade policy regime and measures
55. The representative of Cameroon referred to the written answers (Annex II) and also
mentioned that an evaluation of the CET of CEMAC was now being carried out and that the centre for
the promotion of exports had been established.
56. The discussant requested information on the period required for the single-window facility to
become fully operational.
57. The representative of Japan expressed the wish to see the bound tariff rates extended to a
larger number of products and asked whether there were plans to do so.58. The representative of the United States mentioned the implementation of the Agreement on
Customs Valuation and the bound tariff rates.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 13
59. The Chairperson requested explanations regarding the customs surtax.
60. The representative of Cameroon stated, in response to the question posed by the discussant,
that the problems arose not so much from the operation of the single-window facility itself, but rather
from the creation of awareness among the support staff and those involved in the trading operations,
in particular importers and exporters.  The next CEMAC summit, scheduled for the end of 2001,would be examining this question.  Cameroon promis ed to reply in writing to the question posed by
the Chairperson on customs surtax and to the question posed by Japan.
(iii) Sectoral policies
61. The representative of Cameroon drew atten tion to the written answers (Annex II), and
emphasized the importance of food self-sufficiency for Cameroon.  The question was now being
studied within the Ministry of Agriculture with a view to developing a new agricultural policy.  TheGovernment was also considering solutions to the problem of agricultural funding.  More detailed
answers on this subject would be supplied in writing.  As for the manufacturing sector, a preliminary
report to prepare a sectorial development plan was now being carried out in the textile sector and in
other sectors.
62. The discussant recalled the questions relating to the reestablishment of - Credit Agricole  and
to the extension of mining exploitation to resources other than petroleum.  In addition, Article XX of
the Agreement on Agriculture allowed non-trade concerns, such as food security, rural development
and environmental protection, to be taken into consideration in agricultural policies.  He would like to
know Cameroon's position on this subject.
63. The representative of the European Union requested information on the legislation planned, or
already in course, to speed up reform in the serv ice sector and on the conditions for the participation
of foreign capital in privatization in the maritime and telecommunications sectors.  The EU expressed
itself ready to assist Cameroon.
64. The representative of Japan recalled his questions concerning the compatability of controls on
the export of unprocessed timber with Article XI of the GATT, the system for the control of
production and marketing, and the maritime sector.
65. The representative of Cameroon mentioned that a study was now being carried out regarding
the reestablishment of an institution such as - Credit Agricole .  Agriculture ensured Cameroon's food
security and was more than a mere business enterprise.  Cameroon hoped that the non-trade aspects of
agriculture would be taken into account in the forthcoming WTO negotiations.
66. The Mining Code established the conditions for the exploitation of resources, and a
geological map of Cameroon had b een produced with a view to the planning and organization of such
exploitation, if possible with the participation of foreign investors.  A petroleum code had been
finalized, while a gas code was now being prepared, together with the legislative texts on services.  In
addition, Cameroon promised to send written answers to the questions raised by Japan.WT/TPR/M/87
Page 14
VI. CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON
67. I have a very strong feeling that the second review of Cameroon's trade policy has been a
distinct success.  We have all learned a great deal about Cameroon, and we have been able to
familiarize ourselves more closely with its economic and trade situation.  We have had a very
productive dialogue regarding both its economic reforms and the part played in that process by its
trade policy.  We have also been able to appreciate the extent of the tasks which remain, in particularas regards good governance and the alleviation of poverty.
68. Members have congratulated the Government of Cameroon on the steps it has taken to
improve its integration into the multilateral trading system.  The existence of a National Technical
Committee with responsibility for following up questions relating to the WTO has been welcomed as
a positive contribution in this respect.  Similarly, the information provided by the Cameroonian
delegation concerning recent notifications was much appreciated, since it demonstrated the
Government's firm intention to honour its commitments within the WTO.  In this connection, thecountry's technical assistance and capacity-building requirements have been recognized, and several
delegations clearly indicated their willingness to help.
69. Most speakers expressed satisfaction at the recovery of the Cameroonian economy, assisted
by structural reforms and a favourable external environment.  Members appreciated the efforts which
Cameroon is making to introduce important institutional and economic reforms designed to improveits competitiveness and promote its closer integration into the world economy.  Many of the questions
posed by delegations concerned the strategy adopted by the authorities to carry forward the structural
reforms, including in the areas of privatization, in vestment and promotion of the private sector.  Some
speakers also inquired about the measures that the Government is taking to support its agricultural,
mining and industrial development policy.  Delegations welcomed the fact that Cameroon hadbecome an observer with respect to the plurilat eral Agreement on Government Procurement and
encouraged it to ensure greater transparency in that field.
70. Most speakers noted Cameroon's participation in the Central African Economic and Monetary
Community (CEMAC).  Cameroon was invited to assume  a leadership role in the regional integration
process.  Some delegations drew attention to the low-level of participation of CEMAC countries inCameroon's trade and asked for further information on how Cameroon had benefited from its
participation in the CEMAC.
71. As far as Cameroon's sectoral policies are concerned, delegations focused mainly on the
agricultural sector, the need for sustainable management of natural resources (in particular, forests),
and the need for improved performance in the services sector.  Some delegations stressed that
liberalization of the services sector was an important part of the efforts to modernize the economy.
Cameroon was accordingly invited to extend its commitments under GATS, particularly in the areasof telecommunications, financial services and transport, within the context of the negotiations in
progress.
72. Specific questions were also posed on subjects such as:
• Customs procedures, the operation of the single-window facility;  preshipment
inspection;
• customs valuations;  the Chairperson welc omed the entry into force of the WTO
Agreement on Customs Valuation as of 1 July 2001;
• the level of the rate of customs duties applied;  the coverage of tariff bindings and the
level of bound rates;
• value added tax (VAT);WT/TPR/M/87
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• the procedures for granting import licences;
• the protection of intellectual property and implementation of the TRIPS Agreement;
• the non-existence of an independent official body for evaluating economic and trade
policies;
• the Investment Code;  and
• limitations on market access for Cameroonian exports.
73. The written and oral replies given by the delegation of Cameroon to most of the questions
posed did much to clarify Cameroon's trade policy and the measures currently in force.  The
delegation also promised to send more detailed replies to the questions left in abeyance.
74. In conclusion, it seems to me that we can all congratulate Cameroon on its continuing efforts
to liberalize and further develop its economy.  Members have recognized Cameroon's need to receive
technical assistance to strengthen its human reso urce capacities, thereby enabling it to fulfil its
obligations within the context of the WTO.  This would also facilitate Cameroon's closer integration
into the multilateral trading system and allow it to  benefit from the advantages this would bring.
Many speakers invited the Cameroon Government to draw up a list of its substantial technical
assistance needs.  They also invited it to press ahead with its structural reforms and its efforts to
promote greater transparency in its legal and institutional systems.  Speakers encouraged Cameroon tobind, within the framework of the WTO, not only all its tariff lines but also its liberalization measures
in the services sector.  These efforts were regarded as essential to give the liberalization of the
economy greater credibility and to attract the foreign investment so necessary in Cameroon's current
situation.
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