Short, medium and long term resources need to be mobilized for the implementation of the Roadmap. To this end, the identification of resources and se
Short, medium and long term resources need to be mobilized for the implementation of the Roadmap. To this end, the identification of resources and search for funding for the activities of the Roadmap was included in the start-off phase of the Roadmap. It shall be supervised by the Technical Secretariat of CONAFE.
CONAFE would have to seek financial resources at the national level. In case these resources are unavailable, there will be a need to attract foreign donors.
It is equally worth highlighting that Cameroon would have to endeavour to fund long-term activities with its ordinary budget in order to ensure a long-lasting viability of the reforms.
– Three levels of funding for the Roadmap are brought to light:Funding by CONAFE of actions within its coordination and steering missions;
– Funding by implementing agencies (sectoral actors, stakeholders in external trade operations), of actions within their competence;
– External funding by donors.
I- FUNDING BY CONAFE
The handling of certain actions of the Roadmap shall depend on CONAFE direct funding through its annual budget. It refers mainly to actions that have to do with the ordinary functioning of the Committee and aimed at executing its annual plan of actions, which will now be based on the priority action plan of the roadmap.
In compliance with the texts setting up the CONAFE, resources to boost the Committee’s budget derive from financial contributions from some public and private member bodies30, and possibly support from development partners. The efficiency of CONAFE actions depends the amount of contributions received, given that the proper execution of the annual plan of action is linked to the level of realization of this budget. However, several entities sometimes lag behind with their payments, thus hindering the activities of the Committee.
II- FUNDING BY IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES
The Roadmap comprises diverse actions whose implementation lies within the competence of stakeholders concerned, referred to as executive agencies. They notably include technical Ministries31, Customs Administration, autonomous port authorities, one stop shop for external trade operations, Cameroon National Shippers Council, Land Freight Management Bureau, banks, consignees, dockers, transporters, approved freight forwarders and customs brokers as well as shippers (negociators).
The target executive agencies would therefore have to ensure the integration into their Medium Term Expenditures Framework (MTEF), of expenditures linked to the implementation of actions emanating from the national Roadmap for trade facilitation.
III- EXTERNAL FUNDING BY DONORS
The Roadmap comprises several actions aimed at implementing Category C measures of the WTO trade facilitation agreement. As a reminder, this category contains provisions whose implementation is different and requires the acquisition of the implementation capacity through assistance and a support for capacity building.
In this perspective, the states concerned must conclude arrangements with donors for assistance and support towards capacity building aimed at enabling the implementation of these measures.
In the case of Cameroon, needs identified in the area of technical assistance for the implementation of twenty (20) measures classified under category C are divided essentially into actions pertaining to training and investment on technical and technological facilities.
In this light, meetings shall be organized with donors in order to engage discussions necessary for the funding of actions of the Roadmap that fall within the implementation of Category C measures of the TFA. Prior related moves shall be undertaken towards the following bodies, which supported CONAFE in the drafting of the national Roadmap for trade facilitation: UNCTAD, WTO, WCO and ECCAS.
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