UKTP – CAMEROON Results Monitoring the business environment

The United Kingdom Trade Partnerships (UKTP) Programme aims to The outcome of the UKTP Programme will be increased trade To keep up-to-date with evolving regulatory and procedural
increase trade from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) to between Cameroon and the UK/EU. This will be achieved by: conditions, including temporary trade and operational obstacles
the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) by maximizing following COVID-19, a monitoring mechanism will bring to light
1. Increased awareness of EPA preferences and benefits; firm-level concerns to relevant policy makers. This mechanism will
the benefits of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). In
2. A more transparent business environment for exports; build the capacity of relevant Ministries to identify, monitor and
Cameroon, the UKTP Programme works in partnership with national
address trade impediments that arise. It will raise private sector
Ministries and business support organizations. It is funded by the 3. Improved institutional/business services to support market awareness regarding the prevalence of non-tariff measures
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the United access; and trade-related obstacles. In addition, governments will be
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and implemented by the
4. Increased capacity to export to the UK/EU market; able to use ePing, the World Trade Organization’s notification
International Trade Centre (ITC).
system to inform and encourage a dialogue with the private
5. Activated market opportunities. sector on regulatory changes.
The UKTP Programme offers a unique platform to scale-up an agile
response to the economic crisis that accompanies the Coronavirus
(COVID-19) health crisis by leveraging market intelligence, working Trade and Market Intelligence Component Sector Support Component
with targeted sectors and institutions and facilitating export linkages. It Awareness of EPA benefits Improving institutional/business services
has two broad components: (1) Trade and Market Intelligence; and (2)
Sector Support. The UKTP Programme will build awareness of the advantages of Business support organizations (BSOs) help prepare
EPA preferences and benefits for Cameroon. In partnership with businesses to export and connect with partners in target
local institutions, ITC will conduct a modular training programme to markets. The UKTP Programme supports BSOs to improve
Selected sectors improve awareness and understanding of preferential market managerial and operational performance and to assist their
Two products with high export potential have been selected under the access conditions under the EPA. client SMEs reach UK/EU markets. Support is provided through
UKTP Programme for Cameroon – cocoa & cocoa derivatives and The training will include export analysis to identify attractive markets advice, training and information on areas like development
Penja pepper. and products, guidelines on EPA rules of origin and the opportunities of organizational strategies, refining service offerings and
Cameroon is the fourth largest cocoa producer in the world with a associated with the EPA. This way countries can prioritize exports putting measurement frameworks in place. As an immediate
significant potential to increase the export of cocoa and its derivative with preferential access and develop strategies to capture untapped response to the COVID-19 situation, the UKTP Programme will
products such as cocoa paste, cocoa butter, cocoa powder and export potential. The training programmes will primarily cater to the provide online training and coaching on topics such as using
chocolate. needs of exporters, producers, government extension staff and digital tools to enhance business efficiency.
trade support institutions. These ‘EPA champions’ will employ their
Penja pepper is for niche markets. A favourite among leading chefs,
market analysis skills to advise local firms, especially MSMEs.
the Penja peppercorn is the first Protected Geographical Indication
(PGI) product in sub-Saharan Africa. This exclusive branding offers In response to the economic turbulence following the COVID-19
good prospects for the promotion and development of local and crisis, exporters can use timely market information, including EPA
international markets. preferences where applicable, to anticipate demand swings and to
pinpoint long-term growth potential for particular goods.
Strengthening export capacity
Enterprises looking to export to the UK/EU face challenges in
Institutional Partners
• Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development
E
product development, quality control, marketing and branding. • The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Faced with the COVID-19 global recession, SMEs must excel in • The Ministry of Commerce
meeting export market requirements and product quality • Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social
expectations of customers in an increasingly competitive Economy and Crafts
environment. Under the UKTP Programme, SMEs will benefit • The Interprofessional Cocoa and Coffee Council
from direct capacity building interventions on export market
• National Cocoa and Coffee Board
requirements, product quality, branding and sustainability. The
• The Penja Pepper Geographical Indication Grouping

CAMEROON
programme will provide tailored support for improved supply-
chain linkages, sector coordination and better export results in a • Technical Secretariat of the follow-up and Coordination
time of uncertainty. Committee for the negotiations of a bilateral Economic
Partnership Agreement between Cameroon and the United
To achieve this in the coffee sector, ITC will apply its Alliances
for Action (A4A) methodology, one which connects all levels of
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
UK Trade Partnerships Programme
• Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and
the value-chain from production to export. Each partner will
Crafts
contribute or invest according to their area of expertise to
enhance the competitiveness of SMEs. A4A core principles In partnership with:
TRAVAIL

include local ownership and resilience-building through a market-

WORK FA PAT
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PAEACE LA
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based approach.

Activating market opportunities

Diversification of market channels and products will be the
springboard for new market opportunities and sector Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals
development.
Through increased trade and investment, the UKTP Programme
Under normal circumstances, markets can be accessed by
supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by
identifying the right distribution channels, ensuring product
compliance with UK and EU standards, and developing a strong contributing to poverty reduction SDG 1, the creation of jobs SDG
marketing strategy. 8, and integrating firms into the international value chain SDG 9. It
also prioritizes gender equality and strategic partnerships as part of
AS the business environment changes in yet unknown ways due
its outcomes SDGs 5 and 17.
to COVID-19, exporters will need flexibility to respond to
bottlenecks along the value-chain and to seize new market
opportunities.
The UKTP Programme will promote and develop exports from
the cocoa and Penja pepper sectors to UK and EU markets
through commercial targeted activities related to potential market
opportunities, such as identification of partners/buyers and
organization of market activities. The programme will target both Contacts: Jarmila Sarda-Souckova
niche and mass markets, prioritizing good, ethical trade and UKTP Programme Manager
sustainable practices. in Cameroon
Increasing quality jobs through increased
exports from Cameroon to the UK/EU
Street address: International Trade Centre
Rue de Montbrillant 54-56
1202 Genève, Suisse
Postal address: International Trade Centre
Palais des Nations 1211
Genève 10, Suisse
E-mail:
Internet:
jsarda@[Link]
[Link] W