The government has said restricting the importation of bottled water to protect local manufacturers could pose challenges because The Gambia operates within a regional trade market, with the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment Mod. K Ceesay, confirming that there is currently no restriction on imported bottled water.
The minister was responding to a question from Hon. Alhagie Mbow, National Assembly Member for Upper Saloum Constituency, who asked whether the government had plans to restrict bottled water imports in support of local manufacturers.
Responding to the question, the minister said the issue had occupied his mind, questioning why the country should continue importing ordinary drinking water when local companies were producing it.
However, he explained that introducing restrictions would raise concerns about products originating from other ECOWAS countries, including Senegal and Guinea.
He said the government was instead encouraging local manufacturers, particularly water-bottling companies, to expand their production capacity and take advantage of opportunities in regional markets.
The minister also said the government was exploring support mechanisms to help domestic producers compete with imported products in both regional and international markets.
Pressed by lawmakers on what specific measures the government intended to take to protect local manufacturers, the minister explained that introducing restrictions would require a decision on whether to ban or continue allowing imports.
He maintained that the country’s participation in the regional market complicated the possibility of imposing a blanket restriction on imported bottled water.
During the exchange, a lawmaker raised concerns about the ability of Gambian manufacturers to compete with larger scale producers, arguing that the country’s relatively small economy could place local businesses at a disadvantage.
The minister responded that the government was looking at available support mechanisms, including the SIC and other instruments, to give local producers an advantage and strengthen their competitiveness.
He also referred to regional trade arrangements and national preferential treatment for domestic products as part of the measures intended to support local manufacturing.
The exchange highlighted the challenge facing the government as it seeks to support domestic water producers while maintaining its commitments within the regional market.
Although the minister confirmed that bottled water imports are not currently restricted, he did not announce a specific timeline or new policy to limit such imports.
