An audience was hosted on Tuesday the 8th of February by Minister Achille BASSILEKIN III to discuss new horizons as well as ponder on already existing cooperation and partnership issues in the domains of SMEs and handicrafts with H.E. Mr. KARIM BEN BECHER, Tunisian Ambassador to Cameroon alongside his close collaborators.
The exchange between both parties was centered on several principal subjects in connection to two partnership accords signed respectively on 6th July 2006 and 24th March 2016 in the domains of SMEs and handicrafts. As such several concerns on the expertise and information on the program and instruments, the visibility and evolution of the handicraft sector, exchange of experiences and capacity reinforcements of actors in the handicrafts sector, their competitive development as well as the identification and the promotion of the vital handicraft fields in both countries were at the heart of this exchange visit.
In his speech, the Tunisian boss pledged Tunisia’s contribution in general and that of the Tunisian embassy in Cameroon in particular in the growth, productivity and development of the SME and handicraft sectors. H.E KARIM BEN BÉCHER went forth to emphasize that his country is willing to make available Tunisian know-how in the domain of carpet crafts, embroidery and weaving so as to foster the development of this production unit as well as reinforce the competitiveness of Cameroon craftsmen.
Warmly welcoming H.E. Mr. KARIM BEN BÉCHER and his entourage to the MINPMEESA Cabinet hall, Minister Achille BASSILEKIN III expressed his delight in the interest of Tunisia in fostering the growth and development of the Cameroonian SME and Handicraft Sector which is visible via the long lasting cooperation and partnership ties which have existed and still ongoing between both nations. He did not fail to suggest Tunisia as special guest of the 8th edition of International handicraft exhibition of Cameroon to be held in 2024.
It should be noted that this audience also served as an opportunity to explore the finalization of a cooperation project related to the follow-up of start-ups as well as the development of synergies in the field of SMESEH alongside the Tunisian Agency for Technical Cooperation (ATCT). It was also a medium to stir up the upcoming 11th session of the Joint Cooperation Commission between Cameroon and Tunisia which is set to take place in the first semester of the year 2022 under the coordination of MINREX.