Chinese
products now have an unhindered access to the Gambian market with the free
trade agreement signed by the governments in Banjul and Beijing.
“I
am proud to announce that my Minister of Trade has since signed a letter of
agreement with China for duty free trade between our two nations,” President
Adama Barrow said yesterday at his maiden state opening of the National
Assembly.
“This
will remove the need for costly trans-shipment of Gambian exports to China
through a third country,” he said. “It
will also make our goods more competitive, and boost our export potential to
the world’s largest market.”
The
Gambia National Assembly had ratified the World Trade Organisation trade
facilitation agreement.
The
Gambian leader, himself a businessman, said this agreement would make The
Gambia a more attractive export destination for its trading partners.
He
said Gambians’ exercising of their democratic right at the December 2016
presidential election “ushered in a new Gambia that is more open to the world”.
“We now have a country that will benefit from
greater openness through international trade and tourism,” Barrow said.
“Since
my inauguration, it is clear that the world appreciates The Gambia and wants to
engage with us. We have already seen an increase in the volume of cargo at the
port of Banjul as well as a rise in vehicular traffic using the ferry
services,” he said.
“Furthermore,
there has been a clear boost in the flock of new investors exploring
opportunities in our country.”
A
strategic partner
The
Gambian leader said with the coming of the new government, relations between
The Gambia and Senegal have been transformed positively.
Barrow
said Banjul and Dakar now meet as strategic partners who recognise the mutual
benefit of closer cooperation.
“Within
the first 100 days of our period in office, our countries signed several key
agreements on defence and security, tourism, fisheries and consular
assistance,” he said.
“As
a small economy, The Gambia has much to gain from more efficient trade across
our borders with Senegal and beyond.”
2017 and beyond
The
Gambian leader also said the government has got a “lot to do in 2017 and beyond
and as “I have always said, this is going to be a government of action”.
“Our
immediate priority is to fix the continuous energy problem as well as the
broken economy, unify the nation, improve health and agricultural sub-sectors,
end the country’s isolation and introduce robust institutional, electoral and
constitutional reforms in line with our new democratic principles that will
respond to the realities of our time,” President Barrow said.
“This
has to be done in tandem with reforms in the Civil Service and security sector
as well as State Owned Enterprises.”
Justice
While
the government has restored key democratic institutions, the pursuit of justice
remains a high priority for the Barrow-government.
“Indeed,
we still have a lot to do despite the progress made so far,” the president said.
Over
500 prisoners have been pardoned as part of the reform the prisons reform
project which includes plans to decongest the prisons by releasing political
and other deserving reformed prisoners.
Barrow
paid tribute to “the gallant Armed Forces”, who he said, have been receptive to
the normalisation of their role in the state, and have conducted themselves
with maximum professionalism.
“To
ensure that our military remain effective and professional, we plan to set up
an infantry centre and school, as well as a military academy to train our
officers and other personnel in all aspects of military science,” he said.
