By: Kemo Kanyi
The Gambia and Senegal on Thursday commenced a two-day economic, trade, and investment forum in Banjul on the themeHarmonization of a Friendlier Business Environment.
The forum, according to organizers, symbolizes the enduring friendship, shared vision, and unwavering commitments of the two nations to deepen bilateral and foster mutual prosperity as it serves as a catalyst to reinforce and harness partnership between the two nations to unlock new opportunities for citizens of the nations.
Muhammed B.S. Jallow, the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, in his statement at the opening of the forum at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre on Thursday, stated that the platform brings together policy makers, investors, entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders to chart a path through economic integration, trade promotion, and sustainable development.
“This forum is more than a symbol of unity. It is a practical mechanism to achieve shared goals by implementing ECOWAS protocol of free movement of goods, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges and creating framework for joint economic initiatives in critical areas such as energy, transport, agriculture, and digital innovations. A conducive business environment is the bedrock of sustainable economic growth. Today’s forum aims to create policies and practices to foster entrepreneurship, innovations, and cross-border collaboration through our state agencies,’’ VP Jallow highlighted. He added that the discussion will also outline development of special economic zones to attract investment, exploration of opportunities in energy, oil and gas, agriculture, fisheries, and transportation sectors.
For his part, Ousman Sonko, the Prime Minister of Senegal, said it is necessary for The Gambia and Senegal to use trade as a means of strengthening the long-standing relationship, adding that economic, trade, and investment opportunities are the bedrock of all developed economies.
“Considering the global perspective as pan-Africans, we must see Africa first. With that, we can create a single market for African products because our nations share the same culture and heritage. Expanding economic activities between The Gambia and Senegal through land, maritime, and air transportations will surely boost the economic gains of the citizen of both nations. We can generate hundreds of billions in dollars between the two nations. This is one of our aims of coming together in order to expand our economy,’’ he mentioned.
PM Sonko underlined that boosting tourism between the two nations will help grow the two economies by promoting trading and investment opportunities. He maintained that the Senegalo-Gambia Secretariat should be protected for the benefit of both nations.
