Vice
President Dr. Isatou Touray has said that The Gambia needs economic
independence through employment and other opportunities for wealth creation
towards poverty eradication.
VP
Touray made these remarks at the 5th Edition of TAF Africa Global Networking
event and the commemoration of 30 years of TAF Africa Global held at a local
hotel in Brufut on Tuesday.
She
said economic independence of citizens would make the country’s socio political
independence meaningful, arguing that since political independence 55 years
ago, generations have been working hard to improve their economic situation.
The
vice president pointed out that the principle of private sector led growth and
people’s belief in the private sector as engine of economic growth will
continue to be a fundamental national development pillar.
“My
government continues to carve out and adjust to responsive policies and
strategies to support greater private sector participation in the domestic
economy,” she added.
According
to her, the national business council has been set up to provide a platform for
the private sector and government to engage on business and recommend policy
options; where the private sector is
expected to play a significant role in financing the different
components of the GIETAF. She added that the special economic zone will entail
the creation of a well built state-of-the-art special zone, adding that its
design embodies economic development using modern technology to boost
industrial development, promote tourism and leisure in a real estate hub.
She
said the project aims at achieving a balance economic space that promotes trade
and investment through industrial activities. She added that such a modern
special economic zone focuses on export promotion, creates jobs, and integrates
within its surrounding situating economic activities closer to the community
would provide direct employment avenues for Gambians, which she said is in line
with the strategies in National Development Plan 2018-2019.
