Gambia-Senegal Economic, Trade forum set for October 26th

The two-day convergence, is aimed at not only promoting economic and trade ties between the two countries, but it is also meant to create a platform to showcase the bond and cultural ties between the two countries.

Already, this historic event has the blessing of the two Heads of State of the Republics of The Gambia and Senegal, Excellencies Adama Barrow and Macky Sall respectively.

This economic, trade and investment forum is also designed to provide an opportunity to boost investment opportunities and for Gambian entrepreneurs to access Senegalese market under special bilateral arrangements. This, according to organisers, would greatly help in promoting other trade frameworks within the framework of ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Also, the initiative came at the backdrop of a similar event organised by The National Coordinating Organisation for Farmers Associations The Gambia (NACOFAG) in collaboration with the FAO - Forest and Farm Facility Project in the processing of Non- Timber Forest Products for the members of the National Association of Food Processors and the All-Gambia Forestry Platform.

The training brought together 25 participants from the Forest and Farm Producers Organisation (FFPOs), NACOFAG Technical team, FAO - FFF Country Facilitator and staff of the Food Technology Services Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture who served as resource persons and facilitated the training and processing of the products.

The training was organised to mobilise support for 20 FFPOs project to participate and showcase their Non Timber Forestry Products during this year's World Food Day and Rural Women Day.

The trainees, who were drawn from all the Agricultural Regions of The Gambia, expressed delight and appreciation to be trained on value addition through processing, packaging, branding, food safety, standards, quality assurance and marketing. The training would go a long way in the development of livelihoods of the beneficiaries through food, nutrition, income and employment security.

Madina Ceesay, one of the beneficiaries, thanked FAO and NACOFAG for the successful implementations of the program.