By Binta Jaiteh
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment’s Directorate of Employment has signed a migration development programme with the German Cooperation on Migration.
The signing ceremony took place at the Trade Ministry’s complex in Banjul.
The Programme Migration for Development (PME) is part of the “Returning to New Opportunities” programme initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2017 via advisory centres for jobs, migration and reintegration.
The centres will provide tailored advice and information on training and employment options and organize job and career fairs, information events, and application training.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Seedy Keita, Minister of Trade said: “with the coming of the Programme Migration for Development, the project will improve socio-economic prospects for local populations, internally displaced persons and returnees in their respective country of origin through a transnational 360° approach, offering advice on reintegration and employment in both Germany and countries of origin.”
“The signing of this agreement entails among others, a mutual collaboration on the objectives of the PME (improving the prospects of economic and social participation for returnees and the local population selected in The Gambia) and that of MOTIE for a better collaboration,” he added.
According to him, the PME will focus on employment promotion, skills development, return and reintegration support through individual and client-oriented advice, and career guidance for people seeking employment, vocational training, start-up/entrepreneurship support, assistance with job placement and matching.
He said that the PME Project will impact on the lives of the intended beneficiaries, saying “I thank you for bringing such a vital initiative to MOTIE and to tThe Gambia in general.”
