By: Ousman Saidykhan
The Gambia-Senegal Economic, Trade, and Investment Forum serves as a powerful symbol of unity, according to the Gambia’s Vice President, who spoke at the opening of the forum’s second edition at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo on Thursday, December 19. The first edition took place in Dakar last October.
The forum, graced by Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, also said nobody can divide the two brotherly nations. The forum theme, “Harmonization of a Friendlier Business Environment,” seeks to strengthen the relationship and promote trade and investment between the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA) and the Senegal Investment Promotion Agency (APIX).
“This forum serves as more than a symbol of unity; it is a practical mechanism to achieve shared goals, including enhancement of trade and investment flows between The Gambia and Senegal by identifying synergies and removing barriers,” said Muhammad B.S. Jallow, who is presiding over the two-day event.
The VP added that the forum seeks to implement the ECOWAS protocol on free movement to enable “seamless collaboration” in commerce, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges and create a framework for joint economic initiatives in energy, transport, agriculture, and digital innovation.
Jallow said the event will strengthen transport, logistics, and maritime connectivity to facilitate trade and showcase “Made in The Gambia” and “Made in Senegal” products. It will also celebrate what he called the “creativity and industriousness” of the people of Senegambia.
“It is The Gambia government’s position that the forum will lead to stronger institutional cooperation between GiEPA and its counterpart APIX as state institutions responsible for the promotion of trade and investments. It will also expand trade and investment opportunities for businesses in both nations and facilitate a more robust business environment, bolstered by knowledge sharing and best practices,” said VP Jallow.
He encouraged participants and the private sector to embrace the spirit of collaboration and innovation in their approaches and be resolute in their actions to create the conditions necessary for an effective business environment between the two countries.
“Let us harness the momentum of this event to build a future of shared prosperity for The Gambia and Senegal. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, ideas into actions, and aspirations into achievements,” Jallow said.
Meanwhile, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has also emphasized the bond the two countries shared, highlighting the forum’s significance for strengthening the economies of Senegal and The Gambia. According to Sonko, while politics sometimes divides people, trade and business bring them together.
“Nobody can divide The Gambia and Senegal…these two countries are one and the same,” Prime Minister Sonko said.
The Chief Executive Officer of GiEPA said this year’s forum is about dialogue and action. Mr. Ousainou Senghore said the event is about creating a strengthened business environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering people-to-people relations, and deepening their understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures and values.
“Let us engage in meaningful discussions, share our insights, and collaborate on initiatives to drive our economies forward by creating more jobs and providing returns to people, society, and government. Together, we can create a legacy of partnership that will benefit generations to come,” Mr. Senghore said.
