The amelioration of public-private partnership was the centre of discussions in Douala.

One of the main axis of discussions at the second national forum for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) is the effective contribution of SMEs in realising Cameroon’s dream of an emergent economy by 2035. During one of the workshops, the participants were drilled on the question of “Sub-contracting in Cameroon: inventory, stakes and challenges to its development for an emergent Cameroon.”

As concerns accompanying SMEs in their activities, the government has put in place a number of measures. This is through the creation of the sub-contracting and partnership exchange program, the establishing of the bank for SMEs and the putting in place of a centre for the creation of enterprises. The most recent action is a Prime Ministerial circular on the award of 30% of the value of structural projects to this sector. But this year’s theme: “Sub-contracting and the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises” underlines the existence of loopholes for the expansion of this sector.

Throughout the presentation, a number of issues plaguing this sector were raised. The main bone of contention is finance, whereby sub-contracting companies suffer from insufficient or late payment for services rendered. In most cases, the drawing up of a sub-contracting contract is in the absence of the sub-contracting firm, which usually carries clauses in their disfavour. The absence of an institutional framework regulating norms, quality control and ensuring the inclusion of SMEs in the elaboration of structural projects is a setback. Out of 20 retained structural projects worth over FCFA 28.845 billion, the guarantee of the eventual award of 8.654 billion representing the 30% for SMEs becomes imminent. Another issue raised was the transfer of technologies, which is a prerequisite to improving managerial, technical and professional capacities in order to face evolving challenges.