President Barrow made these remarks in response to concerns raised by Omar Nget, the leader of representatives of Gambian students in China who paid a visit to President Barrow at his hotel.
President Barrow is currently attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
During their meeting with President Barrow, Mr Nget outlined their concerns including delays in receiving their scholarships and requested stipends for self-sponsoring students.
He informed President Barrow of the cordial relationship the student body has with the Gambian embassy in China and applauded them for their support.
Responding to their concerns, Barrow said that despite the challenges, his government is committed to innovative and wise spending of the limited resources available amid the high expectations of the people.
He called on the students to support his government’s plan in investing and preparing the youth as future leaders.
“All our direction is towards young people, and education has the highest budget, with about 75% of UTG students on scholarship,” Barrow said.
The President expressed delight in receiving the students and appreciated their relationship with the Gambian Embassy in the People’s Republic of China.
He also acknowledged the friendly relations with the Chinese President, H.E Xi Jinping and the opportunity FOCAC presented to Africa.
Furthermore, on the sidelines, the 2024 FOCAC Summit witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Gambia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and a Chinese company, TBEA, at a ceremony held in Beijing on Wednesday, 4 September 2024.
Presiding over the signing ceremony, the President of TBEA, Mr Xiao Zhi, led the Gambian leader and delegation on a conducted tour of a digital presentation of the company’s activities sharing its experience in the green energy sector, including the building of the Jambur Solar plant in The Gambia.
First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, Cabinet Ministers, Ambassador Madame Kinteh, Chief of Staff Mod K. Ceesay and representatives of the business community of The Gambia and staff of the Gambian Embassy in China accompanied President Barrow and were honored with an elaborate lunch at the TBEA office.
In a separate engagement, Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping hosted President Barrow and other Heads of State and Government and delegations to a state banquet on Wednesday evening to kick-start the FOCAC2024 in Beijing for the next few days.
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