On July 25, 2024, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, GIEPA launched The Gambia E-Market Platform, along with The Gambia Export Video and Tourism Destination Videos.
These initiatives, developed with the support of the Commonwealth, form a key part of the National Export Strategy (NES) 2021-2025 and are poised to revolutionise the promotion and delivery of Gambian products to the global market.
The Gambia E-Market Platform is designed to revolutionise trade by providing an online marketplace dedicated to promoting and delivering Gambian-made products globally. This digital platform aims to increase the visibility and accessibility of local products, thereby enhancing the country's export potential.
Abdou Jobe, Minister for Tourism and Culture, highlighted the timely launch of the promotional videos, underscoring their potential to enhance tourism at the domestic, regional, and global levels.
He emphasised that the videos will effectively showcase the rich culture of Gambia known as the Smiling Coast of Africa.
Jobe praised the tourism promotion videos produced by GIEPA for encompassing all the essential elements and information about tourism in The Gambia. He concluded by expressing his gratitude to GIEPA and its partners for their efforts.
Hon. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, Minister for Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, said The Gambia E-Market Platform is set to revolutionise trade by offering an online marketplace dedicated to promoting and delivering Gambian-made products globally. This digital platform aims to boost the visibility and accessibility of local products, thereby enhancing the country's export potential.
He emphasised that the platform could help Gambian businesses access global markets.
Minister Joof also acknowledged the challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses in reaching international markets but highlighted the government's commitment to supporting them. He described the platform as impressive, noting its role in promoting trade, driving digital transformation, and fostering economic development.
Additionally, he emphasised the importance of building the capacity of local markets by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete in the global market.
Ousainou Senghore, the Executive Director of GIEPA, stated that the platform's introduction is aimed at empowering Gambian businesses to enter international markets, enhancing economic competitiveness, and promoting quality investment and exports through digital means. The initiative is expected to drive economic growth, he emphasised.
Additionally, GIEPA is partnering with the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) to integrate Gambian businesses into the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) and MANSA platforms.
The partnership, according to GIEPA, seeks to facilitate trade, support the creation of a single market, and encourage good governance of businesses and financial institutions across the continent.
