Joint Circular-Letter N° 0000025 /JC/MINFI/MINDDEVEL OF 03 OCT 2023 relating to the preparation of budgets of Regional and Local Authorities for the 2024 financial year.

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JOINT CIRCULAR-LETTER N° 0000025 /JC/MINFI/MINDDEVEL OF 03 OCT 2023 relating to the preparation of budgets of Regional and Local Authorities for the 2024 financial year.

# The Minister of Finance and The Minister of Decentralization and Local Development

To

The

• Presidents of Regional Councils;
• Presidents of Regional Executive Councils;
• Mayors of City Councils;

The

• Mayors of Sub-Divisional Councils;
• Mayors of Councils.

1. This joint circular letter relates to the preparation of the budgets of Regional and Local Authorities (RLA) for the 2024 financial year.

1. It outlines the macroeconomic context, sets the objectives of local public action as well as the practical provisions defining the preparation of the budgets of Regional and Local Authorities for the 2024 financial year.

1. It complies with the provisions of the following texts:

• law no. 2018/011 of July 11, 2018 on the Code of Transparency and Good Governance in the Management of Public Finances in Cameroon;
• law No. 2018/012 of July 11, 2018 on the Financial Regime of the State and Other Public Entities;
• law No. 2019/024 of December 24, 2019 on the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities;
• law no. 2009/019 of 15 December 2009 on local taxes;
• decree No. 2021/3353/PM of June 17, 2021 setting the budget nomenclature for Regional and Local Authorities.

1. In addition, it is in line with the guidelines of the budgetary policy defined by Circular No. 001 of August 23, 2022 of the President of the Republic relating to the preparation of the State budget for the 2024 financial year, as well as the Joint Order No. 00031/JO/MINDDEVEL/MINFI of March 3, 2021 fixing the budget calendar for Regional and Local Authorities.

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1. The process of preparing RLAs budgets for the 2024 financial year is part of the implementation of the Nation's economic, social and cultural development policy, underpinned by the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (NDS30). This strategy operationalizes the second phase of the 2035 vision, taking into account the requirements of the Economic and Financial Programme concluded with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition, the preparation of the 2024 budgets take place in a security context marked by the persistence of endogenous and exogenous threats to our country.

1. The preparation of RLA budgets for the 2024 financial year, aims to provide them with a socio-economic impact budget. To this effect, particular emphasis should be placed on strengthening social cohesion and deepening the process of decentralization, with a view to consolidating the sustainable growth of the region.

I. MACROECONOMIC CONTEXT

A. At the International level

1. The preparation of the RLAs budgets for the 2024 financial year is taking place in an international environment marked by the gradual recovery of the world's economy, despite the persistent uncertainties, in particular:

• degradation of climatic conditions which would negatively impact agricultural yield;
• continues disruption of supply chains caused by the Russian-Ukraine conflict;