“Limbe is a considerable import and export gateway, with main entry points being Idenau, Tiko, Ekondo Titi and Ekok. It is therefore a very important town to the customs department and will attract even more goods in the nearest future” with the imminent construction of a deep-sea port, Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda, CNSC General Manager declared while welcoming participants. He underscored the importance of the workshop which sought to enable participants to have a better understanding of the CEMAC customs territory, clearance procedures, get acquainted with customs terminology and know how to resolve customs litigations.
In the same vein, the Governor of the South West Region, Koumpa Issa (who chaired the opening session) noted that understanding and applying customs procedures ensures better mastery of international trade requirements and avoids customs litigations, incidental expenses, penalties, waste of time, warehouse and other surcharges. He said a better understanding of customs procedures will be beneficial not only to importers and exporters of the South West Region, but will help in fighting increases in cost of goods that contribute to the rising cost of living in Cameroon.
On behalf of the Idenau Council, the Second Deputy Mayor expressed optimism that the workshop “will help shippers of the South West Region have a better understanding of and observe clearance procedures that have a direct impact on the improvement of the lives of all the inhabitants of the Idenau Council area, the South West Region and Cameroon as a whole..." Besides practical cases, seasoned speakers gave a series of presentations, including, among others, presentation of the CEMAC customs territory; bodies and instruments of the CEMAC customs system; pre-customs clearance formalities; and required documentation.
