Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08YAOUNDE26
2008-01-10 09:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yaounde
Cable title:
CAMEROON'S NEW MINISTER OF ECONOMY: DYNAMIC AND
how-toVZCZCXRO8548 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHYD #0026/01 0100923 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 100923Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8467 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE 0063 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000026
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/C AND AF/EPS
STATE ALSO FOR EB
STATE PLEASE PASS MCC
DAKAR FOR FCS MORRISON
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS
TREASURY ALSO FOR FRANCOIS BOYE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV EIND KMCA CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S NEW MINISTER OF ECONOMY: DYNAMIC AND
FOCUSED ON BUSINESS CLIMATE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000026
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/C AND AF/EPS
STATE ALSO FOR EB
STATE PLEASE PASS MCC
DAKAR FOR FCS MORRISON
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS
TREASURY ALSO FOR FRANCOIS BOYE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV EIND KMCA CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S NEW MINISTER OF ECONOMY: DYNAMIC AND
FOCUSED ON BUSINESS CLIMATE
1. (SBU) Summary: In a January 8 courtesy call by the
Ambassador, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional
Development (MINEPAT) Louis Paul Motaze highlighted the need
for more decisive action to spur economic growth and improve
Cameroon's business climate. He was anxious to engage on the
MCC, which he planned to discuss with the Prime Minister. He
identified infrastructure and agricultural modernization as
priorities and hoped the 2005 census would be published in
February. Dynamic and results-oriented, Motaze could be a
strong ally in improving the country's investment climate and
getting progress on key MCC economic indicators. End
summary.
Economy
--------------
2. (SBU) Motaze hoped for 4.5 to 5.5 percent GDP growth in
2008. He was pleased that President Biya's New Year's speech
stressed the need for action in pushing economic growth.
Motaze urged patience in the GRC's economic approach to the
economy, saying that he hoped for better prioritization and
more action (enough studies have been done, he said),while
recognizing that problems exist and corruption cannot be
eliminated over night. He hoped to spur speedier
decision-making, arguing it was better to make bad decisions
and correct them than to make no decisions. Ambassador hoped
the GRC would lighten the burdens on foreign investors, who
are looking for concrete improvements. Motaze agreed there
was an urgent need to improve the business climate, saying he
would focus on reducing the time to open a business,
improving the judicial process, and facilitating business
finance.
MCC
---
3. (SBU) The MINEPAT Minister said he was attending a
meeting called by Prime Minister Inoni on January 9 to
discuss economic issues, including the MCC. Ambassador noted
that the PM's office informed us it was taking the lead on
the MCC (which was news to Motaze) and she emphasized the
need to make progress on the MCC indicators. We do not need
to see progress on all fronts at once, but are looking for
concrete results in as many areas as possible and hope to see
Cameroon get on track for MCC threshold status, Ambassador
added. The Minister agreed there was too much confusion in
the GRC's Washington lobbying efforts on MCC, and that the
government's priority needed to be tackling its problems here
in Cameroon. He also saw a need for improved communication
about Cameroon's achievements to date.
Planning
--------------
4. (SBU) The Minister's priority "road map" for 2008
focused on energy, roads, telecommunications, and special
sector development (such as palm oil and wood). Agriculture
needs to be modernized, with greater value added, he said.
The government is reviewing what to do when the IMF/World
Bank-backed Poverty Reduction Strategy Program (PRSP) expires
on June 30, he said, concluding that the government will
probably stay on track with the adjustment requirements of
the program. He disliked the focus on poverty reduction,
preferring to focus on wealth creation over a 10-20 year
period.
Census
--------------
5. (SBU) Ambassador asked whether the results of the 2005
census will be released soon. Motaze said he had recently
met with the head of the National Statistics Agency (under
his ministry),urging her to better communicate to the public
the difficulties encountered in finalizing the census. He
acknowledged some problems with the UN Population Fund and
finances but hoped the final census results would be
published this February.
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) While still new and largely untested in his
YAOUNDE 00000026 002 OF 002
current job, Motaze was refreshingly dynamic and somewhat
maverick in his thinking. He came off as decisive,
committed, and sure of where he wants to go. He was both
eager and realistic about the MCC. He has a strong track
record of delivering results as General Manager of the
National Social Insurance Fund prior to becoming a minister
in September 2007. Reportedly close to the President, with
work experience in Cameroon Airlines and Cameroon Shipping
Lines, and a French law degree, he could prove to be a strong
ally in efforts to improve the commercial climate.
GARVEY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/C AND AF/EPS
STATE ALSO FOR EB
STATE PLEASE PASS MCC
DAKAR FOR FCS MORRISON
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS
TREASURY ALSO FOR FRANCOIS BOYE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV EIND KMCA CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S NEW MINISTER OF ECONOMY: DYNAMIC AND
FOCUSED ON BUSINESS CLIMATE
1. (SBU) Summary: In a January 8 courtesy call by the
Ambassador, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional
Development (MINEPAT) Louis Paul Motaze highlighted the need
for more decisive action to spur economic growth and improve
Cameroon's business climate. He was anxious to engage on the
MCC, which he planned to discuss with the Prime Minister. He
identified infrastructure and agricultural modernization as
priorities and hoped the 2005 census would be published in
February. Dynamic and results-oriented, Motaze could be a
strong ally in improving the country's investment climate and
getting progress on key MCC economic indicators. End
summary.
Economy
--------------
2. (SBU) Motaze hoped for 4.5 to 5.5 percent GDP growth in
2008. He was pleased that President Biya's New Year's speech
stressed the need for action in pushing economic growth.
Motaze urged patience in the GRC's economic approach to the
economy, saying that he hoped for better prioritization and
more action (enough studies have been done, he said),while
recognizing that problems exist and corruption cannot be
eliminated over night. He hoped to spur speedier
decision-making, arguing it was better to make bad decisions
and correct them than to make no decisions. Ambassador hoped
the GRC would lighten the burdens on foreign investors, who
are looking for concrete improvements. Motaze agreed there
was an urgent need to improve the business climate, saying he
would focus on reducing the time to open a business,
improving the judicial process, and facilitating business
finance.
MCC
---
3. (SBU) The MINEPAT Minister said he was attending a
meeting called by Prime Minister Inoni on January 9 to
discuss economic issues, including the MCC. Ambassador noted
that the PM's office informed us it was taking the lead on
the MCC (which was news to Motaze) and she emphasized the
need to make progress on the MCC indicators. We do not need
to see progress on all fronts at once, but are looking for
concrete results in as many areas as possible and hope to see
Cameroon get on track for MCC threshold status, Ambassador
added. The Minister agreed there was too much confusion in
the GRC's Washington lobbying efforts on MCC, and that the
government's priority needed to be tackling its problems here
in Cameroon. He also saw a need for improved communication
about Cameroon's achievements to date.
Planning
--------------
4. (SBU) The Minister's priority "road map" for 2008
focused on energy, roads, telecommunications, and special
sector development (such as palm oil and wood). Agriculture
needs to be modernized, with greater value added, he said.
The government is reviewing what to do when the IMF/World
Bank-backed Poverty Reduction Strategy Program (PRSP) expires
on June 30, he said, concluding that the government will
probably stay on track with the adjustment requirements of
the program. He disliked the focus on poverty reduction,
preferring to focus on wealth creation over a 10-20 year
period.
Census
--------------
5. (SBU) Ambassador asked whether the results of the 2005
census will be released soon. Motaze said he had recently
met with the head of the National Statistics Agency (under
his ministry),urging her to better communicate to the public
the difficulties encountered in finalizing the census. He
acknowledged some problems with the UN Population Fund and
finances but hoped the final census results would be
published this February.
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) While still new and largely untested in his
YAOUNDE 00000026 002 OF 002
current job, Motaze was refreshingly dynamic and somewhat
maverick in his thinking. He came off as decisive,
committed, and sure of where he wants to go. He was both
eager and realistic about the MCC. He has a strong track
record of delivering results as General Manager of the
National Social Insurance Fund prior to becoming a minister
in September 2007. Reportedly close to the President, with
work experience in Cameroon Airlines and Cameroon Shipping
Lines, and a French law degree, he could prove to be a strong
ally in efforts to improve the commercial climate.
GARVEY