The Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Jonathan Peter MARLAND recently visited Cameroon at the invitation of the Government.

Shortly after his arrival in Yaoundé, the Chairman was received by the Prime Minister, Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute on 10 October 2022. For two days, the CWEIC delegation led by its Chairman had several meetings with the heads of various ministries including MINREX, MINESUP, MINSEC, MINFI, MINDDEVEL, MINT, etc. Lord Jonathan Peter Marland, Cameroon’s special guest also visited a number of public companies.

At every stop the delegation made, Lord Marland presented the CWEIC and the opportunities it offers to public and private companies. After Yaoundé, the delegation was hosted by the CNSC in Douala where they had a memorable stay.

It all started with a visit to the Douala Maritime Museum where the CNSC organised a working session between Lord Marland, public and private companies, and other business actors. He explained that the role of the CWEIC is to use its mobilization power and the network of trust of the Commonwealth to stimulate trade and investments between member states. 

The second part of the programme took the British delegation to the CNSC Dibamba Trucker facility, located at the eastern exit of Douala. It was another delight for Lord Marland and his following to see this important contribution of the CNSC to facilitate cross-border trade and promote Cameroon's foreign trade.

At the end of his day in Douala, Lord Marland could not help but note the hospitality shown him by the General Manager of the CNSC, Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda and his entire staff. In pure African tradition, a dinner party was thrown in honour of the UK delegation. The evening was marked by cultural animations with performances by dance groups such as Ambass Bay MOVE (Littoral), NKUNDE (Sanaga Maritime) and OROKO (South West). The night ended with gift offerings as Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda surprised his esteemed guest with two shirts sewn with CNSC fabric, two traditional regalia of the North-West Region of Cameroon and two paddles with one engraved "Lord Jonathan Peter Marland" and the other "King Charles III".

"My friend Lord Jonathan Peter Marland, these souvenir gifts given to you in pairs are a symbol of our hospitality. One is yours and please help me hand the other to King Charles III" said Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda, visibly satisfied with the visit of CWEIC's Chairman to Cameroon and the CNSC.