Gambia/UNIDO launch country programme 2010-2013

In a bid to show its commitments in the developments of the country, The Gambia government through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment, in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) signed and launched the country’s programme for the next three years.

Speaking at a press conference, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Employment Honourable Yusupha Kah expressed his delight at the gesture.

He said the programme will specifically focus on the priority areas that they deem can alleviate poverty, create employment and also add value interms of agro-processing activities.

"As we always say signing such documents is one thing but the challenges yet to come with the implementation, which I therefore believed that will call for the resources to be provided for the successive and smooth implementation of the programme as envisaged in the programme," he said.

He elaborated on the need to maintain the partnership between The Gambia and UNIDO.

For his part, the Director General of UNIDO, Mr. Kandeh Yumkella said they are working towards prioritising areas identified by the government and various stakeholders. He said their programme would be focused on four main areas, ranging from agro-processing and agro-business development, supporting capacity building in the ministry, among others.
"These are critical areas that I believe The Gambia like other developing countries must address," he stated.

"To speak a little bit more globally Gambia like a number of developing countries faces a number of challenges that are global. These present crises and climate change affects the growing of many developing countries," he concluded.