By Mariatou Ngum
Information Officer, MOTIE
Stakeholders from different Ministries and Departments on Thursday 18th April 2024 converged at a hotel to validate the Domestic Trade Strategy that marks a crucial milestone for the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE) efforts to promote the development of trade in The Gambia.
Organised by MoTIE, the strategy aims to promote economic growth by supporting and strengthening internal trade efficiency and competitiveness, enhancing the integration of domestic trade, removing trade barriers and encouraging modernization and innovation. It is meant to stimulate the production of domestic goods, optimize the utilization of domestic markets, foster sustainable restructuring, and position The Gambia favorably within regional and international trade integrations.
In his opening statement, Mr. Abdoulie Jammeh, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of MoTIE said the Ministry has developed a strategy to create a competitive trading environment, support local production, enhance value addition along the supply chain, facilitate market access, and promote domestically made products.
Through the creation of a favourable business climate and the development of efficient trade-related infrastructure and services, he affirmed that this strategy will increase business productivity and efficiency while boosting the country’s economic competitiveness and promoting job creation.
However, to achieve this, DPS Jammeh affirmed that the strategy encompasses eleven fundamental pillars including Trade Capacity Development, Enhancing Market Competitiveness, Ensuring Regulatory Compliance, Investment Promotion and Facilitation, Promoting Job Creation and Employment Growth, Strengthening trade related Institutions, Trade Facilitation and Efficiency and Policy Alignment and Synergy.
According to him, to further enrich and deepen the strategy, specific attention was given to promoting the procurement of locally made products within governmental and institutional frameworks to stimulate local industries.
As we embark on this journey towards a vibrant and resilient domestic trade sector; Lamin Dampha, executive director of, Center for Policy, Research, and Strategic Studies (CepRass) urged everyone to actively participate in the validation process, providing constructive feedback and insights that will further refine and strengthen the strategy.
He reaffirmed their collective commitment to fostering economic growth, enhancing market competitiveness, and empowering local producers and traders. Hence, he said the strategy represented a roadmap for unlocking the full potential of domestic trade in our nation, aligning with the priorities outlined in the National Development Plan, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.