VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHYD #0063/01 0261428
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261428Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0647

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000063 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT for EEB/CBA Dennis Winstead 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ECON EINV CM
SUBJECT: Cameroon's BFIF Proposals 
 
REF:  09 State 126674 
 
¶1.  (U) Post seeks BFIF support to fund programs that will help 
build upon recent positive events in Cameroon to advance U.S. 
commercial outreach here and in the sub-region.  The U.S. is the 
largest source of foreign direct investment in Cameroon and several 
dozen American companies have a presence here, mostly based in 
Douala, the business capital.   While Cameroon's business climate is 
difficult, there are substantial opportunities for new American 
investments and sales.  The Amcham has emerged as a nascent but 
potentially important platform to promote and assist American 
companies here, but it needs help getting better organized.  Our 
BFIF proposals focus on business matchmaking and catalyzing local 
chambers of commerce goals. 
 
Business Outreach to Douala and Neglected Commercial Centers 
 
¶2.  (U) Justification: Until lately, our commercial outreach 
endeavors have focused mainly on Cameroon's major cities of Douala 
and Yaounde.  However, the emerging cities in the other eight 
regions of the country have rarely been touched.  Businesses in 
these regions demonstrate a strong and growing interest in American 
products and technology.  For example, a small business owner in 
Kumba, South West Region, recently traveled to the U.S. to order a 
relatively large quantity of cosmetics and children's clothing. 
There are other second-tier cities, such as the port city of Limbe, 
that need exposure to opportunities for importing American products. 
 In addition, five local companies have expressed the need for an 
ICP report in anticipation of transactions with American companies, 
requiring travel to gather research outside of Yaounde and Douala. 
Finally, even with a locally-hired commercial specialist in Douala 
(the economic capital of Cameroon and the sub-region), the 
Commercial Section is unable to provide sufficient engagement to 
American companies and prospective customers of American companies 
in that most important commercial center in central Africa. 
 
¶3.  (U) Post would use BFIF funds to underwrite the travel of 
commercial staff to these regions for commercial outreach 
activities, including attending some AMCHAM meetings, promoting 
International Buyer Programs (IBPs), and business forums. 
 
¶4.  (U) Planning Milestones:  Travel begins in late January to the 
West and North West Regions. The Northern Regions will be explored 
in early March while the last week of March will be appropriate for 
Douala and the South West Region. Each of these trips would last 
approximately one week. 
 
¶5.  (U) Estimated Costs:  USD 4,500 to fund 3 five-day trips to the 
regions (includes hotel, per diem, meeting expenses, transport); 
$3,000 to fund 3 two-day trips to Douala (includes hotel, per diem, 
meeting expenses, transport). 
 
¶6.  (U) Success Criteria/Outcomes:  The success of the project would 
be measured by: (a) number of outreach meetings held with American 
companies and prospective Cameroonian clients of American companies; 
(b) the number of concrete trade leads developed; (c) the number of 
trade deals concluded (in completely new business or expansion of 
existing business); (d) building a solid and reliable databank of 
local companies inclined to do business with the USA. 
 
¶7.  (U) Follow-up Strategy: (a) Enlarging the commercial databank 
(American Presence List and Reps of American Companies as well as 
prospective American importers) to serve commercial staffs' business 
development activities.  Commercial staff will track business leads 
in the outlying regions and report success stories. 
 
CCG Roll out / Economic Debate - Business and Investment Climate 
 
¶8.  (U) Justification:  Drafting the Country Commercial Guide has 
always been difficult because of a lack of data and statistics. 
Bringing together a cross section of business executives, government 
officials involved with business and economic policy issues, 
academics, etc, could provide useful insight into the drafting of 
this valuable tool.  Additionally, few Cameroonian business leaders 
and government officials are conversant with the Embassy's 
commercial and business services.  Finally, business contacts have 
highlighted to us the strong need for a forum to discuss business 
and economic issues.  An event to roll out the CCG would serve as a 
commercial diplomacy tool to showcase Embassy business and 
commercial outreach programs, help gather crucial information, and 
focus the public on the business climate.  The nascent AMCHAM would 
host this event, bringing extra publicity to this budding 
organization which has struggled in Cameroon in the face of other 
big business chambers. 
 
¶9.  (U) Planning Milestones:  Two events are planned, one in March 
to introduce the CCG and another in November to preview the 2011 CCG 
exercise. 
 
¶10.  (U) Estimated Costs:  USD 1,500 to fund conference facilities; 
USD 2,500 to fund two one-day overnight trips to Douala for two 
persons from Embassy Yaounde (includes hotel, per diem, meeting 
expenses, transport). 
 
¶11.  (U) Success Criteria/Outcomes:  The success of the project 
would be measured by: (a) the quality of collected data for updating 
the Doing Business (CCG) report, (b) strengthening AMCHAM as a 
business platform, (c) publicity and press outcomes. 
 
¶11.  (U) Point of Contact:  Erik Martini; MartiniE@state.gov; 
(237)22-20-15-00 ext. 4070; LE Staff POC is Jean Paul Yana; 
YanaJP@state.gov; (237)22-20-15-00 ext. 4118. 
 
GARVEY