Last month, the Commonwealth Trade Competitiveness team together with the Gambia’s Ministry of Trade and the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA) held a two-day exporters’ stakeholder forum aimed at identifying the most efficient ways to ensure the successful implementation of the Gambia’s National Export Strategy (NES) for 2021-2025.
The development of the Gambia’s NES was supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat and this forum is the next step of implementation to help balance the Gambia’s trade exports and address challenges in trade entry points.
High-level government officials and members of the private sector attended the forum.
At its opening, the Gambia’s Minister of Tourism Hon. Mr Hamat NK. Bah said:
“Employment generation in tourism is crucial for the growth and stability of the economy as a failed economy is worse than a revolting economy. It is high time for the government to work extra hard to enable better access to finance, and for businessmen and women to have the finance they need”.
Supporting this statement, Gambia’s Minister of Trade Hon. Mr Seedy Keita said:
“This forum will help the coordinating secretariat GIEPA in submitting strong recommendations to the cabinet for a better business environment.”
Ousainou Senghore, the CEO of GIEPA, said:
“GIEPA is mandated by law to enhance the business environment, facilitate public-private dialogue, develop exports, promote business development initiatives through consultative engagements with the private sector. The National Export Strategy must be seen as a national document as it has a clear vision for an innovative, resilient and responsible sector”.
The Commonwealth Secretariat is using its technical expertise to help find the resources and partners necessary for The Gambia to ensure the smooth implementation of the NES.
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Opeyemi Abebe, Head of Trade Competitiveness Section helped to facilitate the workshop and stressed the importance of the forum:
“The Secretariat is supporting the government of The Gambia to improve its economy and the lives of its people. We are glad to collaborate with the Ministry of Trade to support GIEPA develop and launch NES II and capitalise on the Gambia’s strong brand within the African region”, she said.
Media contact
- Rena Gashumba Communications Adviser, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- T: +44 7483 919 968 | E-mail
