President Adama Barrow, on Friday, launched a trade logistics charter, a critical framework that commits all trade community stakeholders to deliver specific key performance indicators (KPIs) determined via a scientific process.
The Charter’s development process and the anticipated impact are strongly supported by the Ministry of Trade (lead ministry), Ministry of Works, Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Finance, the Gambia Revenue Authority, the Gambia Ports Authority and other agencies affiliated to the named ministries.
Speaking at the launch held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Muhammed B.S Jallow, the Vice President, who represented President Adama Barrow at the event, stated that the Gambia’s Trade Logistics Charter is a critical step in transforming the nation’s trade ecosystem and positioning the country to continue the path to economic growth and prosperity.
“The Port of Banjul, which serves as the country’s primary gateway to the world, has been facing significant challenges in recent years. These challenge, which includes ageing infrastructure and inefficiencies in operations have contributed to a worrying decline in trade traffic and revenue,” he pointed out.
VP Jallow said the increased trade diversion to Dakar has further complicated the situation. He added that recognizing the urgency of the matter, the Gambia government has committed to addressing these challenges head-on. He continued: “Over and above our investment partnership with Albayrak to improve the infrastructure at the Port of Banjul and build a new deep-sea port in Sanyang, the Office of the President in partnership with the key Ministries responsible for overseeing our trade and logistics ecosystem and the relevant downstream agencies that include the Gambia Revenue Authority and the Gambia Ports Authority, and with the invaluable support of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change have developed this Trade Logistics Charter. This charter will act as a foundation for improving the operational efficiency of our port and trade ecosystem, ensuring we not only regain lost revenue but also secure a brighter, more competitive future for The Gambia.”
He emphasized that the Trade Logistics Charter is more than just a document “because it is a framework that binds all stakeholders within the trade community”.
VP Jallow said the charter sets out specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that the government and partners will collectively work towards achieving.
“This includes streamlining customs processes, optimizing the management of physical assets such as roads, cranes, and warehousing, and ensuring effective coordination across various government agencies such as the Gambia Revenue Authority, the Gambia Ports Authority, the security forces, customs, and immigration.”
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Alieu Loum, underscored the importance of the charter, describing its launch as important and unique.
PS Loum noted that the trade logistics charter is timely and relevant as it promises to reshape the future of trade sector and unlock new growth opportunities designed to overhaultrade infrastructure, stream-line processes and position The Gambia as a competitive force in the global stage.
He explained that the charter has been developed through collaboration of key government ministries, departments, and agencies.