Gregor Binkert honoured with an arts exhibition

The Director of Operations of the World Bank in Cameroon was hosted on Monday at an art exhibition at the headquarters of the World Bank in Yaounde.

While in Cameroon since 2011, Gregor Binkert handled issues of finance and economy. The Director of the World Bank unveiled his new operations center of interest: art.

"He has worked hard to promote Cameroonian art. He supported many artists and we think he should meet them one last time," said Mamma Alim Ahmed, curator of the exhibition "Cameroon, a contemporary vision."

The event, now in its 5th edition, opened Monday in Yaounde, together with the reception offered for Gregor Binkert to say goodbye.

On one evening, the lobby of the headquarters of the World Bank in Yaoundé turned into a showroom of arts where guests discovered the different paintings adorning the walls of the office.

For this new edition, in addition to artists, photographers and carpenters are present to exhibit their materials. Eight in all, for the fifty works selected within the framework of this opening.

Blanche Agoume, Boris Nzebo, Jean David, Nkot, Jean Emati, Hako Hankson, Salifou Lindou, Max Lyonga and Merlin Teffolo are all artists the World Bank has chosen to highlight their works at the exhibition. "The Director of the World Bank operations wanted this exhibition as a moment of sharing between the artists and visitors among which are members of government, members of the diplomatic corps and technical and financial partners of the Bank," she said.

Amid these paintings, Gregor Binkert and his guests spent a few minutes for a brief review of the cooperation between Cameroon and the World Bank. Thus, between 2011 and 2015, the project portfolio of the World Bank increased by 41% with the disbursement ratio from 11% to 23% over the same period.

Although cooperation between Cameroon and the World Bank covers all sectors, Gregor Binkert, in his speech for the occasion, focused on three areas. With amenities, it includes the financing of the Nachtigal dam and full rehabilitation of the Bamenda-Babadjou axis. Agriculture; the World Bank is involved in the investment project and development of agricultural markets (PIDMA) with funding estimated at FCFA 50 billion.

The World Bank is also involved in education and health. From the 2015-2016 school year, three million textbooks will be distributed to students which will enable three students to share a textbook.

Beyond the numbers, Gregor Binkert carries with him "wonderful memories, exceptional encounters and warmth that I will cherish forever."