Cameroon is currently engaged within the CEMAC group of countries in trade negotiations with the European Union (EU) through the framework of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries – (EU) relations. These negotiations may lead to an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU by January 2008, which will be the new cooperative framework based on partnership, cooperation, trade and political dialogue between the EU and the ACP countries.

The ECA delegation was composed by :
- CA SRO : Mr Abdoul Kane, Mr Bertrand Tachago
- TFED : Mr. Nassim Oulmane.

A. Purpose of the Mission

The mission had two objectives. First, the mission aimed at transferring technical expertise on tools and methods to assess the impact of trade agreements to Cameroon’s officials (Different Ministries) and trade researchers (CEREG Studies and Research Centre of Economics and Management). Secondly, the mission endeavoured to finalize the terms of reference of an impact study on the Cameroon’s economy of an Economic Partnership Agreement between Cameroon and the European Union.

B. Activities

The delegation conducted a training workshop on the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) Software and the WITS/Smart partial equilibrium model developed by the World Bank and UNCTAD. The presentations focused on the use of this kind of tools in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) context. Indeed, Cameroon is currently engaged within the Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) group of countries in EPA trade negotiations with the European Union (EU) through the framework of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The presentations also focused on regional integration, as Cameroon is a major player in the sub-region and the EPA can potentially hamper Cameroon’s exports within the region and undermine regional integration. As well, the delegation had a series of meetings with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Comity of Trade Negotiation (CNSNC) and the CEREG at the University of Yaoundé 2 in order to finalize the Terms of reference of the impact study.

The training took place at the University of Yaoundé 2 and at the ECA SRO. The training consisted of introducing the participants to different trade policy tools, used in ECA, to WITS software and the WITS/Smart partial equilibrium model. Participants were provided with a copy of this software and they were able to discover the various simulation opportunities as well as trade and tariffs data extraction possibilities. They were also able to get some practical experience through case studies.

The training workshop was attended by 20 participants, among whom four woman. The participants were coming from different Ministries, private sector, civil society and the CEREG.

Concerning the terms of reference of the study, the ECA delegation and the other entities were able to discuss and define the possible scenarios to test in the study, as well as the division of tasks and the setting up of the team of focal points.

C. Outcome of the mission

Both goals were achieved.

The software and the training were well received by the participants as expressed by their enthusiasm and level of questions during the training as well as in the evaluation questionnaire.

The terms of reference of the study were approved as it is spelled out in the attachment to this report. The different Ministries, coordinated by the CNSNC, the CEREG and the ECA will work jointly on the study.

The mission was also able to contribute to the mainstreaming of trade in Cameroon through the reinforcement of communication and collaboration opportunities between officials and local research centres. It was acknowledged by all the entities that this study would be a cornerstone for capacity building and the collaboration between the officials and local research centres.