The objective of the strategy is to reorganise and reposition the productive sector of the economy as a competitive enterprising, manufacturing and export-oriented country. The strategy will further seek to lean and leverage other government strategic policies and build synergies around promoting the country’s industrial competitiveness to enhance the production and consumption of locally made goods and services.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at MOTIE, Mr. Hassan Gaye said with the coming into force of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), whose primary objective is to increase intra-Africa trade by 52.3 percent by 2022, a great opportunity is availed for countries to benefit from increased market access to boost their trade and grow their productive sectors. This can only be done by deliberately targeting the productive industries, particularly those in the manufacturing sub-sector.
He affirmed that: “Our private sector, which is made up mainly of MSMEs is one of the most dynamic sectors with great potentials for sustained growth. Hence, my Ministry remains fully committed to providing the necessary support through policy and strategy measures such as the “Made in The Gambia Strategy” to help the private sector in positioning itself in the global economy for inclusive growth and Economic Development.”
He pointed out that the ‘Made in The Gambia Strategy’ is aimed at providing a coherent and integrated strategic lens that would guide the government and all stakeholders in the manufacturing sub-sector to deliver the development results as envisaged in the National Development Plan (NDP).
“I wish to implore each and every one of you here present, to contribute in shaping this guiding strategy for promoting the national brand ‘Made in the Gambia’ to help achieve the aforementioned objective for our shared benefit as a country,” DPS Gaye stated.
Abdou Touray, a representative from UNDP noted that ‘We live in a very competitive society. In order to have a positive balance of trade, we need to produce to compete in the world.
He pointed out that, we should add value to any products we produce. We should build our capacity to be able to produce. ‘Made in the Gambia’ is long overdue noting that we should be proactive towards the implementation of this important strategy.
Fabba Jammeh, Director of Industry and Investment at MOTIE, noted that the strategy is timely as it would enable us to critically look at the trading needs both nationally, regionally and internationally.
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