Meeting this week, an interministerial committee says they want to create a new brand of business actors as they have begun work on the selection of private operators to be licensed
In a bid to cut down on the huge imports of fish, an interministerial committee to select private investors who will be given licences to invest in Cameroon has began work. They had their first working session on Monday June 21, in the presence of some industrial fish farmers from Nigeria as well as a delegation of experts from Worldfish. The session offered a rare opportunity for potential investors to present their bids.
This first working session was chaired by the Minister of Livestock, Fisheriesand Animal Industries, Dr. Taiga.
“We want to create a new type of businesspersons, the fish tycoons, and curb imports. Cameroon is suitable for it, operators are committed, and the government, through the commission, is set to encourage investors to enter into fish production,” Dr. Taïga said.
He stressed on the fact that the huge investments in the importation of fish, despite the enormous potential in Cameroon is negatively affecting the country’s trade balance.
“This call for the expression of interest, by either national or international investors is intended to develop projects in the aquaculture sector in either one or more sites,” the Minister added.
Cameroon spends an average of FCFA 100 billion yearly on fish importation. According to details obtained from theLivestock Ministry, the imported stock often covers the160,000 tons deficit between the quantity produced locally and what is actually needed. About 335,000 tons are produced annually while a whopping 500,000 tons are required to meet yearly needs.
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