The High Commission of the Republic of The Gambia in Dakar, Senegal organized in collaboration with The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA) and Agence Nationale Pour la Promotion des Investissements et des grands Travaux (APIX), the Second Edition of The Gambia-Senegal Economic, Trade and Investment Forum in The Gambia from 19th to 20th December 2024. It was an occasion to promote the culture, trade and investment of both countries. The event further promotes people to people exchange between The Gambia and Senegal in strengthening our long-standing bilateral ties.
The Event was a two-day celebration which included an Economic, Trade and Investment Forum and Exhibition Fair of Goods from The Gambia and Senegal on Thursday, 19th December 2024, followed by a Cultural Gala Dinner on Friday, 20th December 2024 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in The Gambia. Government officials, Entrepreneurs, distinguished personalities from both countries and Diplomatic Corps attended the Event.
You may recall that the proposed Trade and Investment forum is the initiative of The Gambia High Commission in Dakar, Senegal. Owing to the critical nature of implementation for such an initiative whilst ensuring its continuity.
This initiative is anchored on ensuing trade, transport and logistics problems faced by traders and transporters from both sides despite Ecowas protocols on free movements of people, goods, and services. The challenges cause serious economic and social challenges to the Governments and people of the two countries.
His Excellency Muhammad B.S. Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia and His Excellency Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister of Senegal attended the event. They both delivered remarks. His Excellency Muhammed B.S. Jallow, in his statement at the opening of the forum at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre 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. the platform contributed in creating policies and practices to foster entrepreneurship, innovations, and cross-border collaboration through our state agencies,’’ Vice President 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, His Excellency Ousmane 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.
Prime Minister 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.
The Gambian High Commissioner to Dakar, His Excellency, Mr. Hadrammeh Sidibeh, expressed his office’s pride to be able to put together this successful event and thanked his staff and all government and private agencies in both countries who made it possible. The two countries’ investment agencies, GIEPA and APIX, assured the investors that the forum has been put together to smoothen the way for greater integration of businesses and trade in line with the ECOWAS concept.
The following Hon. Ministers, among other Heads of Institutions and Entrepreneurs were also present:
- Honourable Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abraod
- Hon. Hamat N.K. Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture of The Gambia
- Hon. Baboucarr O. Joof, Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment of The Gambia
- Hon. Demba Sabally, Minister of Agriculture of The Gambia
- Hon. Mr Abdou Karim FOFANA, Minister of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Small and Medium Enterprises, Government Spokesperson
Over 500 Gambians and Senegalese in government, private sector, businesses, and civil society organizations participated. The event provided the opportunity for Gambian and Senegalese businesses to exhibit their products and network with their counterparts through networking sessions, trade and investment meetings, Business to Business, Business to Government and Government 2 Government engagements.
The theme of the Forum which was “Harmonization of Friendlier Business Environment”. The forum targeted Government, Private sector, business community, Arts and cultural groups from The Gambia and Senegal. However, the forum focused on the following Priority Areas:
- Trade and Investment
- Tourism, Arts, and Culture
- Transport and Customs
- Agriculture (Poultry, Horticulture, and Aquaculture)
- Petroleum and Energy
- Manufacturing
- Information and Digital Economy
- Fisheries
- Handicraft and Tailoring
- Made in Senegambia Products
- Joint Infrastructural projects
- Special Economic Zones
In a show of instant success, the forum witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Association of Gambian Manufacturers (AGM) and their Senegalese counterpart I’Union des Prestataires des Industriels et Commercants du Senegal (l’UPIC). The MOU aims to strengthen bilateral relations and ensure ease of trade and movement of goods and persons across both nations’ borders.
The signing Ceremony was presided over by the Vice President of The Republic of The Gambia – His Excellency Muhammad B.S Jallow and The Prime Minister of Senegal – His Excellency Ousmane Sonko.
Following the opening ceremony, major agenda of the Economic Forum included presentations by the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) and the Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Major Works of Senegal (APIX) on the investment environment and trade opportunities in both The Gambia and Senegal. The forum also provided a panel discussions on the following:
- Panel on Transport, Logistics, Maritime and Customs (Synergy on the way forward)
- Panel on Investment Financing and the Business Environment
- Panel on Economic Zones and Infrastructure Development
- Panel on Energy, Oil & Gas
The vote of thanks was delivered by the Executive Secretary of the Senegalo-Gambia Permanent Secretariat, H.E. Elhagie Ebou Boye and the closing remarks by Hon. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad.
The two-day event also witnessed a cultural and award gala dinner night to deserving partners who supported the event between the two countries at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre climaxing what appears to be a rebirth of cordial relationship between the two brotherly countries. The gala and cultural night featured Gambian and Senegalese artists such as Jaliba Kuyateh and Mia Guisse.
