CAMEROUN COUNTRY BRIEF

INTERNAL

Political
Cameroon reverted to a multi-party system in 1992 after a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience. A new accommodation between the ruling party and most of its rivals has eased tensions considerably. A renowned politician Paul Biya won the Presidential elections held in October 1992. His party got majority of seats in the Parliament in may 1997. Parliamentary elections in October 1997, Paul Biya was re-elected as the President. A new Constitution was adopted in December 1995. President Paul Biya's position is further reinforced with the qualification of Cameroon for US$ 2 billion of debt relief under the World Bank/IMF's heavily indebted poor countries initiative in October 2000 and the grant of US$ 144 million loan to support the poverty alleviation programmes. Next legislative elections will be held in January 2002.

Economy
Cameroon is a potentially wealthy and diversified commodity based economy. Agriculture is the mainstay of economy, which provides employment for about 80% of the population and accounts for 40% of the national income. However, it suffered one of the worst economic declines due to fall in the oil prices in the mid 80s, followed by 50% devaluation of its currency in 1994. The economy bounced back since 1996 driven by the private sector and secondary sectors. The government made significant progress in implementing an economic reform programme and in August 1997 the IMF approved a three-year annual arrangement under the enhanced structural adjustment facility. Cameroon accounts for nearly half of the combined GDP and total population of the Central African sub-region.

In October 2000, President Paul Biya and his Chadian counterpart launched the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline project. The 1,070 km buried pipeline will transport 225,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the Doda basin in Chad to the port of Kribi in the Gulf of Guinea. The 880 km Cameroon section of the pipeline will be owned and operated by the Cameroon Oil Transportation Company, a joint venture between the Cameroon government and the oil consortium - ExxonMobil (40%), Chevron (25%), and Petronas (35%). The project will be completed by the second half of 2003.

Cameroon's total exports increased from US$ 1885 million in 1997 to US$ 1675 million in 1999 and imports grew from US$ 1327 million in 1997 to US$ 1409 million in 1999.

Foreign Policy
Within the region, Cameroon has traditionally adopted a relatively low profile, although border disputes with neighbouring states such as Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea have become increasingly tense in recent years. Cameroon disputes Gabon's aspirations to regional leadership in Central Africa. While Cameroon has pledged rhetorical support to promote closer economic integration within Central Africa through the mechanism of CEMAC, the Cameroonian leadership is likely to remain wary of its counterparts. Cameroon has maintained close ties with the former colonial power France. The 21st France-Africa Summit was held in Yaounde in January 2001. Its admission to the Commonwealth in 1995 is an indication of efforts to diversify foreign policy.

BILATERAL

Political
Relations between India and Cameroon are friendly and cordial. The Cameroonian leaders appreciate India's contributions to Africa, NAM, India's secular democracy and economic progress. Despite distance and other constraints, some high-level visits have been exchanged between the two countries. President Paul Biya visited India in March 1983 to attend NAM Summit. The then Ministers of State for Industrial Development and External Affairs visited Cameroon in February 1988 and April 1990 respectively. India supported Cameroon's admission into the Commonwealth in 1995. India does not have a Resident Diplomatic Mission in Cameroon. High Commissioner of India to Nigeria is concurrently accredited to Cameroon. A local Indian Shri Bahar Thadaney is being nominated as Honorary Consul of India to Cameroon.

ECONOMIC

Trade
India's exports to Cameroon decreased from US$ 8.91 million in 1998-99 to US$ 7.18 million in 1999-2000. India's imports from Cameroon during the same period grew from US$ 5.04 million to US$ 9.65 million. Items of India's exports are rice, tobacco, marine products, leather products, sports goods, plastic products, chemicals, machinery, equipment and cotton yarn. Main items of imports from Cameroon are wood and wood products, cotton, cocoa, rubber etc.

Projects Exports
There are no project exports from India to Cameroon.

Joint Ventures
There are no joint ventures between India and Cameroon.

Technical and Economic Cooperation Military
There is not much military exchange between India and Cameroon.

ITEC
Cameroon has been sending a few candidates for short-term training programmes in India every year under ITEC Programme under the Ministry's pool, which is well appreciated.

Indian Community
The total number of India community in Cameroon is 350, mostly engaged in trading and business. They have been accepted well by the Cameroon society.

Related Links
India and Benin Republic
India and Cameroon
India and Chad
Benin Fact Sheet
Cameroun Fact Sheet
Chad Fact Sheet
Nigeria Fact Sheet