Louis Paul Motaze handed out the guidelines during the ceremony to present New Year wishes in Yaounde on Janaury28, 2016.

Staff of the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development have been reminded that Cameroon will not develop if private investors are not lured to support government in its growth drive. Minister Louis Paul Motaze urged personnel of central and devolved services of the ministry to comb the nooks and crannies of their respective areas of jurisdiction, identify potential investors and encourage, motivate and coach them on the benefits of investing in the country. He was speaking at the Yaounde Conference Centre on January 28, 2016 while receiving New Year wishes from staff of his ministry.

Minister Motaze said though Cameroon was able to face shocks of insecurity and drop in oil prices, as well as maintaining its inflation at below 3 per cent, it was not enough, given the trying times. The Economic Partnership Agreement enters into a decisive stage this year, with Cameroon expected to open its market for competition. Processing what we produce is the only way out. It is therefore time to concentrate, with no room for going in all directions, stated the Economy boss. He stressed that development-induced sectors with emphasis on processing are areas that can prompt growth. According to him, an emergent country is one that is industrialised and it only comes when a country can process its raw materials.

Efforts are underway to step up coordination strategies between the Directorate Generals of the Economy, Regional Development and that of Cooperation. The Minister is looking at possibilities whereby the portfolio of each department will add value to economic growth and the livelihoods of Cameroonians. “We have to watch out for the quality of projects we want government to source for external funding”, he said, stressing that; “What we get from foreign partners are not grants but loans that are reimbursable”.

Responding to the call of the Secretary General of the Ministry, Jean Tchoffo, on limited working equipment and infrastructure, the Minister, Louis Paul Motaze announced that, “We will give you the means, we will hand out objectives but we will control and monitor your work for optimal results are needed for Cameroon to attain its growth vision.”