The traditional Touristic, Handicraft and Cultural Trade Fair, known by its acronym FOTAC, will take a sub-regional character when it holds next year, organisers have said. Samaki Djenabou, bearer of the project told reporters that the fair will begin in earnest in the six different CEMAC countries before culminating in a grand trade fair at the National Museum in Yaounde, March 4-8, 2019. She was speaking at a press conference, Wednesday November 21, to present to the public some innovations of FOTAC.

In its seventh edition, organisers said the trade fair will focus on promoting entrepreneurship and the dynamism of women. The fair will be characterized by cultural displays, touristic, handicraft, cultural and artistic competitions, round table debates, gastronomy, tourist visits, amongst others.

According to Rodrigue Tapeo, technical partner of FOTAC, the trade fair will unfold in three phases in all towns in CEMAC which will eventually host the fair. The first phase will entail sensitization of stakeholders for a strong mobilization and pre-selection of fair exhibitors at local levels. While the second phase will be a semi-final stage to select women groups and associations at country levels, the third and last phase will be the grand closing gala to take place in Yaounde. It is at this stage a winner will be announced and honoured with a Prize of Excellence dedicated to women entrepreneurship and dynamism.