Such an initiative is highly welcomed between the UK and The Gambia, who should work in a good trade relationship of a win-win affair for both nations.
Mr President, we would like to commend Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency and the British High Commissioner Harriet King for such a new direction and promising initiative between both countries. Since High Commissioner Harriet King assumed duties in The Gambia, she has been pushing hard promoting the cordial relations between the Gambia and the UK at the diplomatic and development levels.
The UK is Gambia's colonial master - thus we have strong ties that we should continue to nurture for the good of both nations. The UK has actually been giving a helping hand to support our national growth in various sectors such as education, health, energy, trade, tourism, transport and security. Under the new High Commissioner, we hope this support is taken to higher heights, as has been happening now with the Gambia-UK Trade initiative being discussed between Gambian and UK investors.
As was rightly stated by The Gambia’s Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, who delivered a forward-looking address at the recent UK Lawmakers and Investors gathering at the House of Commons hosted by the Westminster Africa Business Association, “The Gambia is ready for business. We are moving away from a mindset of waiting for aid and support. We seek a relationship with Britain built on dignity, mutual respect, trade and investment…we are calling for partnership.”
The Minister also outlined priority sectors for foreign investors, which the UK investors can take advantage of. These sectors include real estate and urban development, tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, and fisheries and marine resources.
Mr President, a lucrative trade relationship between The Gambia and the UK will do well for both nations, especially that Gambia and Africa have the resources Britain needs and Britain has the expertise and capital Gambia and Africa need to accelerate development. Thus we need each other for a win-win trade relationship and national development.
Mr President, it also good to note that your government is ready to support qualified Gambians in Spain following the amnesty that country recently gave to some 500,000 undocumented migrants currently living in Spain.
We commend the Government of Spain for such a laudable humanitarian gesture that other European countries and the United States should emulate. We are living in an interdependent world, where movement of people and goods has been ongoing from time immemorial. We should therefore continue to bear with one another, trade with one another, and build up one another to make this world a better place for all.
Good day!
The Point Editorial