Interview: Pervasive Pessimism in Cameroon

Doing Business 2009: Christiane Mantey, a young business manager and head of “PME Impacts”— a small business coalition— expresses her views on the very difficult business climate existing in Cameroon, following publication of the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) report.

The World Bank has just published the Doing Business 2009 report in which Cameroon’s ranking remains the subject of very grave concern.  In general terms, how do you see this report?

This report is, as usual, quite comprehensive. Also, Cameroon’s ranking clearly remains low.  Work must be done to improve the situation.

On the ground, the situation seems much the same.  However, in reality, we recognize that some work is being done.  Unfortunately, at this point, it all seems like a mere drop in the ocean.  Pessimism is pervasive.  However, unlike the situation prevailing in previous years, government authorities are striving for improvement, particularly in the area of strengthening dialogue between the public and private sectors.

You are Chair of a coalition known as “PME Impacts.” How do Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) cope with this unfortunate situation on a daily basis?

SMEs remain the most important link in the economy.  However, they have difficulty developing.  Sponsors tend not to follow through.  The current banking system finances only services; production is overlooked. 

A few months ago, “PME Impacts” organized a forum at which a number of initiatives, such as implementation of a pilot project involving a single window for new businesses, were discussed in order to challenge certain taboos.  What is your overall assessment of this experience and what work will be done in this area in the future?

The forum drew more than 1,600 persons over a two-day period.  People were seeking to obtain as much information as possible and in particular to attend the launching of the single window pilot project.  Unfortunately, the project was not completed.  People are unaware of the fact that a tremendous amount of work was done behind the scenes by the various actors, which facilitated fairly significant progress with the permanent establishment of the facility.  The assessment is therefore positive, even though we did not manage to put the facility in place.  Perhaps a longer preparatory period was needed.

In addition to this initiative, what services does your network provide to SMEs in Cameroon in such a difficult environment?

We are currently seeking space and materials in order to become well established, given the requests of SMEs.  We would like to serve as an information center and play a liaison role with respect to the various government departments.

Ms. Mantey, by way of conclusion, if we asked you to name the single most important reform needed to improve the business climate in Cameroon, what would you recommend and why?

Whistleblowers should be accorded protection. This should be done in order to guarantee them some measure of safety.