Findings revealed that 77.3% of companies decry business-unfriendly tax system.
The result of the 2011 Business Climate Survey, BCS, which was presented to the population of Bamenda on Wednesday September 26, revealed that 8 out of 10 companies in Cameroon are unable to fully pay their taxes as required by the government. The survey that was carried out to enable the government understand the business climate in Cameroon so as to see where to make amendments as well as to make life easier for business people was also to promote competition in the national economy.
The survey that was carried out by the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, GICAM, CCIMA and GTZ was also based on promoting public private/partnership in the business sector in Cameroon. While presenting the research results, the Regional Delegate of MINEPAT North West, Njeba Kenneth Karawa, said 70 % of the company operators say administrative bottlenecks play negatively on their day-to-day operations, 84 % of companies complained that the 20 days period for the clearing of goods from the seaport was too much.
It was also brought to the limelight that road; rail, transport services quality and high cost have a negative impact on their businesses. One out of every two traders complained of high cost and poor services of electricity and 60 % complained of insecurity as a result they spend about 5 % of their income to get security services. Most of them do not have a business plan.
On the other hand, the Regional Delegate of Small and Medium-size Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicraft, Mfetie Issah, presented the different government initiatives to support the private sector. He said from the survey most of the business people are not aware of government actions to support them. As a result, he rejoiced with the opportunity to present the eleven different support programmes to help those in the private sector.
For the Economic and Social Adviser to the Governor’s office, Nji Joseph, and the Head of Delegation from MINEPAT, Abdullah Narcise, the results will enable the government to improve public/private partnership in Cameroon.
