*By Gerald Ngeh*
In a significant move to strengthen international cooperation, the Director General of Customs, Fongod Edwin Nuvaga, recently granted an audience to a World Bank mission led by Mr. Papa Modou Ndiaye. The meeting, held at the Customs headquarters in Bastos, aimed to supervise the Performance Project of the Douala-Ndjamena Corridor (PCDN) ¹.
At the forefront of discussions was the interconnection of customs administrations between Cameroon and Chad. This initiative seeks to enhance the efficiency and security of trade exchanges between the two nations. Several projects have already been implemented to achieve this goal, including the training of customs officials from Chad and the Central African Republic.
Another key aspect of the meeting was the issuance of authorizations to transit actors for monitoring by geo-localization of cargoes in transit under Nexus+. This innovative system enables real-time tracking of goods in transit, reducing the risk of smuggling and other illicit activities.
The World Bank mission also expressed its support for the recruitment of a technical assistant to implement the OEA (Operator Economic Authorisation) status. This certification, issued by the customs administration, identifies reliable companies and grants them special treatment for controls. The primary objective of OEA status is to simplify and secure trade exchanges.
Furthermore, the mission agreed to deploy an interministerial team to observe conventional checkpoints and identify areas for improvement. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the functioning of these checkpoints and facilitate trade between Cameroon and its neighbours.
The meeting between Fongod Edwin Nuvaga and the World Bank delegation underscores the importance of international cooperation in fostering economic growth and development. By strengthening the interconnection of customs administrations and implementing innovative systems like Nexus+, Cameroon and its partners can enhance the efficiency and security of trade exchanges, ultimately benefiting the local economy.
As Cameroon continues to play a key role in regional trade, the Customs administration, under the leadership of Fongod Edwin Nuvaga, remains committed to implementing reforms and initiatives that promote economic growth, security, and international cooperation.
