Ladies and Gentlemen members of the government, I wish each and everyone of you a warm welcome in this Unity Palace, for the convening of the ministerial council.. Mr Prime Minister, Head of Government

Mr Vice Prime Minister,

Honourable Ministers of State,

Ladies and gentlemen ministers,

Ladies and gentlemen Secretaries of State,

Two important events in our country have occurred in the past few months.

In late April, we reached the completion point of the HIPC initiative.

On August the 14th , the army and administration in Nigeria have withdrawn from the Bakassi Peninsula, in application of the Greentree Agreement.

I have learned from this first event at the beginning of May, in a radio-television speech.

I said that it was marking the beginning of a new stage in our development process, step that must be devoted priority, to revive the growth of our economy.

It is the growth that is the only way to increase job opportunities and improve the living conditions of Cameroonians.

As for the withdrawal of Bakassi, we should congratulate ourselves about it for two reasons:

-- On the one hand, it embodies the recognition of our rights as defined by the judgement of the International Court of Justice;

-- Secondly, it creates the conditions for understanding and friendly cooperation with our brotherly country of Nigeria.

-- ThePeace and stability essential to our country to ensure its development can only be strengthened by that.

Starting from this situation, I would now like to briefly recall the main goals that I set at the beginning of my current term and discuss with you the best way to achieve them.

The revival of growth will mainly depend on the resumption of investments. We must therefore create the conditions. In this regard, a trusting dialogue with the private sector is indispensable. Businesses are suffering from the burdens of the bureaucracy, from the uncertainties about energy supply and from poor infrastructure.

In addition, the guarantees given by our investments chart need to be clarified, sector by sector.

The State which is a major institutional investor and which will have significant financial resources due to debt cancellation, must be capable of making rational use of these funds. It must propose projects that meet our priorities and likely to be selected. Which is not always the case and explains an incomprehensible sub-consumer credit.

Do I once again need to remind that the programme on which I am committed to Cameroonians, includes a range of agricultural, industrial, and energy projects that will stimulate our economy and create employment.

We absolutely must find solutions to this problem that affects particularly young people, graduates or not, who arrive each year in large numbers in the labour market. Because, if not carefully managed, there is an obvious risk of disruption of our society.

The bureaucracy has a responsibility in the lack of effective government action.

Some bottlenecks remain, quarrels skills continue. But the worst is probably, despite repeated warnings, the persistence of inciviques behaviours such as fraud, embezzlement and especially corruption.

I said recently in other circumstances that these crimes would not remain unpunished. I think I was perfectly clear.

The action the government should lead does not keep it from the commitments we made vis-à-vis our external partners.

As agreed, we will need to remain attentive to budgetary discipline, to carry out the necessary structural reforms and to improve our governance.

Thus, we will retain the trust placed in us.

I do not believe that fulfilling our commitments is incompatible with our desire to improve conditions and living standards of Cameroonians. I know their expectations in education, public health, access to drinking water and electricity, communications, etc...

We have already made some progress in these areas and it is our intention to continue along this path. I also know that our compatriots are waiting for a fair return of the fruits of growth to which they contributed. I think the vigorous conduct of the policy that I just mentioned will allow margins of maneuver that will allow us to give them progressively satisfaction.

To fulfill the task entrusted to him, the government will need to show cohesion and solidarity among its members. Good coordination between them will be a guarantee of efficiency. The government action must take place within a long-term development of our country and the eradication of poverty.

At this price, it will ensure the best chance of success.

Ladies and gentlemen members of the government,

I wish you every success in carrying out your duties,

Thank you for your attention.