As a continuation of high level meetings between Turkish and Cameroonian authorities in the wake of the official visit of the Head of State to Turkey, the President of the Republic His Excellency Paul BIYA granted audience on Friday 12 April 2013 to the Turkish Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Omer FARUK DOGAN
The audience at Unity Palace started by mid day and lasted over one hour. Speaking to the press immediately afterwards, the Turkish Ambassador expressed his gratitude and thankfulness to the Head of State for the audience granted to him. He once more relayed the deep appreciation of the Turkish people for the historic visit of President Paul BIYA to their country.
Ambassador Omer FARUK DOGAN was very upbeat about the future of the relations and partnership between Turkey and Cameroon, and announced that Turkey was totally committed to support and accompany Cameroon in its efforts to become an emerging economy. The Ambassador said that it was also their hope that the senatorial elections will take place in a calm and serene atmosphere.
The Turkish diplomat told the press about some of the projects he discussed with the Head of State, including the opening of two major learning institutions in Douala and Yaoundé, the construction of a district hospital in Yaoundé, and the construction of roads, dams and other development projects all over the country.
Speaking on the possibility of improving investment conditions in Cameroon so as to better accommodate the Turkish business concerns, the Ambassador said that the legislation in Cameroon needed some adjustments and the implementation of the BOT (build, operate, transfer) system will be most suitable for projects that require massive financial imput.
H.E. Omer FARUK DOGAN was happy that the recent visit of President Paul BIYA to Turkey is already yielding dividends, as a Turkish and Cameroonian company have already singed an agreement worth over 50 billion Francs CFA. He said that many more such projects were in the pipeline.
Talking on the capabilities of Turkish businesses, the Ambassador revealed that of the 200 major construction companies in the world, 30 of them are from Turkey, an indication that these companies that go a long way in constructing infrastructure and buildings needed for the development of Cameroon.
