By Mama A. Touray &
Mustapha Jarju
Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment has organized a high-level workshop mainstreaming Micro, Small and Medium sized enterprises in the implementation of African Continental Free trade area in The Gambia.
The forum was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.
The primary objective of the high-level policy workshop brought high-level decision makers to discuss and explore possible options with strategic recommendations to address the potential challenges of the AfCFTA and how Gambian MSMEs can benefit from the Agreement.
The workshop also expected helped to explore good practices on leveraging AfCFTA for enhance participation of Gambian MSMEs in intra-African trade.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr Isatou Touray Vice President urged the ministry to provide all needed support to MSMEs and FCFTA implementation in the Gambia, adding that Globally MSMEs are the backbone of many developing economies especially in sub-Saharan Africa. And the informal sector constitutes the MSMEs in least and well-developed countries.
“President Barrow assured his governments support to the outcomes of the occasion of the implementation of the AfCFTA and I the Vice president wishes to register my continuous support top the Ministry of Trade Industry, Regional Integration and Employment,” she said.
On behalf of the government of the Gambia, she expressed special gratitude to UN country team for the unflinching support particularly at the time when covid-19 recovery is slowly but surely progressing in our economics.
According to her, without doubt the intervention areas are critical and remain a strong effort to work with relevant stakeholders and donors to systematically improve the institutional structures.
Ebrima Sisawo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Trade Industry Regional Integration and Employment on behalf of the Minister of MoTIE disclosed that since the commencement of the AfCFTA in January 2021, the Gambia has responded in number of ways which include institutional structure arrangement, policy alignment, capacity building and sensitization to adequately prepare the country’s MSMEs and industries for AfCFTA implementation review’’
UNDP Country Representative Aissata De said ‘’MSMEs are key to economic development and a growth in Africa as they generate employment, add value to products and contributes to innovation and reduce poverty’’
She added that the UNDP will continue to collaborate with development partners in development of MSMEs in the country so that greater dividend can be realized from the opportunities made available by AfCFTA.