At start of PROMOTE: Swiss Ambassador celebrates country’s strong partnership with Cameroon.

This was on Saturday, June 13, in Yaounde. The official opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, the European Union Ambassador to Cameroon, Jean-Marc Châtaigner, and a host of other ambassadors accredited to Cameroon. 

The event showcased a broad range of diplomatic and economic initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. 

Speaking at the international trade fair, the Swiss Ambassador highlighted her country’s institutional presence through a dedicated pavilion and the participation of numerous companies from various sectors. 

She described their presence as a reflection of the robust partnership and long-standing relations shared between Switzerland and Cameroon. 

She disclosed that Switzerland is represented in two connected areas, the Swiss pavilion where the embassy is being presented to visitors, the ecofriendly embassy building and the profile of Switzerland in Cameroon. 

“We have a model on display showing the building of the future embassy. And then, we have the Swiss village, where companies are presenting themselves. It is very diverse as we have companies from different sectors,” she noted. 

The diplomat stated that there are many different sectors covered by the companies. 

The Swiss Ambassador said: “We are very happy and proud that there are so many companies from different sectors here today”. 

Showcasing active partnership 

The Minister of Trade, Mbarga Atangana, speaking to the press, said the PROMOTE exhibition is the tangible translation of the active partnership between Switzerland and Cameroon.

The member of government explained that the current edition will feature no less than 40 foreign countries present.

Ambassador Natalie Kohli, it should be said, had dudirng a presser on June 12, announced that her country will make a strong showing at this year’s PROMOTE.

Kohli had assured that Switzerland will participate with discussions on the theme: “Innovation in the service of sustainability” and promote entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and mutually beneficial cooperation with Cameroonian businesses. 

Ambassador Kohli noted that Switzerland will focus on concrete solutions in fields such as energy, resilient infrastructure, sustainable supply chains, agribusiness, and technologies adapted to local realities. She hailed the Fair as a platform to exploit opportunities for dialogue. 

Ambassador Kohli expressed hope that Swiss businesses will reach deals during PROMOTE that “are mutually beneficial”. She said her country views PROMOTE as much more than just an economic trade fair but as a miniature version of international Geneva.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3818 of Monday June 15, 2026