Hopes for Enhanced Trade Volume Between Banjul & Dakar
By: Momodou Justice Darboe
Prominent businessman and diplomat Mr. Alhaji Salifu K. Jaiteh has described the recently-concluded 2nd edition of Senegal/Gambia trade, investment, and economic forum in Banjul as a watershed moment in the two countries bilateral relations in the spheres of trade, investment promotion and economic integration.
H. E Jaiteh, who is also the honorary consul of Cyprus to The Gambia, expressed the hope that the commitments and resolutions that were made during the forum would be translated into actions and solutions for overcoming the challenges to trade and investment between Banjul and Dakar.
“I would like to thank their excellencies presidents Adama Barrow and Basirou Diomaye Faye for allowing this forum to be held here in The Gambia. I would also like to thank the trade and investment promotion agencies of The Gambia and Senegal for their foresight in organizing this forum for the second time. My sincere thanks also go to the vice presidents of Senegal and The Gambia for the leadership they’ve demonstrated throughout the forum,” said H.E Jaiteh in an interview with The Voice late Sunday afternoon.
According to the successful businessman, there is an overwhelming need to increase the trade volume between The Gambia and Senegal for the socio-economic development of both countries.
“The Gambia and Senegal have no choice but to work together in a mutually beneficial and reinforcing manner in the areas of trade, security and economy,” he noted.
“We [The Gambia and Senegal] have a lot in common. We have the same languages, cultures, religions, cuisine, and traditions and geographically speaking, we are just one people. I see no reason why trade and investment should not flourish between us,” the long-standing entrepreneur pointed out.
Asked why anyone should pin high hope on the forum because it was conducted in the backdrop of Senegal’s reported plan to cease basalt importation to The Gambia and the tariff increase on a bag of imported cement by the government of The Gambia.
“I am hopeful that the two countries will see how to work together to eliminate any barrier to trade between them. The fact that officials of both countries are engaging is a positive sign. Another positive sign is that there is overwhelming and compelling evidence to show that there is political will on the part of the leaders and officials of the governments of The Gambia and Senegal to promote intra-Senegambia trade. I am sure both governments are well aware of the fact that any barrier to trade, be it Senegal’s plan to cease basalt exportation to The Gambia or the cement levy increase by the government of The Gambia is a trade barrier. It does not matter whether it’s basalt or cement but any trade barrier would defeat the purpose of this forum and reverse the gains so far made in integrating the economies of the two countries,” said the successful businessman.
He explained that tariff barriers should not be introduced in the trade between Banjul and Dakar.
“Senegal’s reported reason that they would be stopping basalt sales to The Gambia does hold any water. If it’s true that they want to halt basalt export here because they would be embarking upon huge infrastructural development is unfortunate. The countries should be supplied with basalt without any barrier. The Gambia should also consider the levy on imported bags of cement because it’s another barrier to trade. Not only cement and basalt but our products should move freely between the two countries,” advised the Cyprus consul.
