(JollofNews) – President Adama Barrow has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to turn the country into a new economic development hub in an effort o increase the inflow of foreign investment in the country,
“The Gambia is open for business and we have taken steps to facilitate trade and provide incentives for investment in the country,” the Gambian leader said on Sunday while addressing a big crowd that gathered at MacCathy Square to celebrate the country’s 53rd independence anniversary.
The tiny West African nation is gradually recovering from a two-decade long economic lethargy, which had turned many investors away. Since the advent of the new regime, authorities have announced a series of measures geared towards revamping the economic sector. A New Development Plan (2018-2021) has been launched to ensure that govt achieve the economic targets that have already been set down.
Barrow said the country is now going to benefit from greater openness through international trade as many investors are exploring the Gambian market and opportunities.“We have formulated several policies to enhance our trade relations and to better integrate The Gambia in to the multilateral trading system,” he added.
He further disclosed that the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) has been ratified by his government with a view to boost the economy through stimulus.
“The Gambia was successfully reinstated into the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which provides duty free market access to the United States,” President said.
Hopes have gained momentum to see the new regime deliver on expectations in making sure the country enters into the path of economic transformation.
On the 53rd Independence Anniversary
Nothing to celebrate!
With on-going price hikes in basic commodities, corruption and corrupt practices, influence-peddling, tribalism, nepotism, wanton misuse of public funds in Barrow/First Lady/Second Lady Foundations and Movements, expensive travelling expenditures, a bloated civil service with Ambassadors-at-large, the ineffective Think Tank grouping, the numerous presidential advisers, shortages/outages of electricity and water, false water and electricity billings of poor people, outright armed banditry and insecurity, unaffordable education bills, horrendous salaries…….
Where are the accounts for the 2017 52nd anniversary celebrations when over 20 million dalasis were lavishly spent. And what is the final report about those who died at that anniversary?
The only celebration is to remind the British who still continue to influence our policies, that after centuries of BRUTAL and DEHUMANIZED colonization and subjugation we can now say something about our political destiny at least on the national stage.
A woman sells oranges in the market, every morning she wakes up at noon and stand in her front yard shouting. “ There will be orange for sell soon as I get to the farm tomorrow “. You know something, I guarantee you, she will soon die of hunger.
Mr President you can invite the entire universe to come do business, but if you have nothing of value to sell and you are lazy to boot. Gambia will not prosper. Sir, do something. For starters:
1. Clean your “ house”. Nepotism will only hurt. Get honest and competent people to work for you. Get seasoned professionals to help deploy your economic blue print. You are sorrounded by crooks and the international business community knows them well. No serious partner will come and do business with GIEPA and Gambia by extension.
2. Show fiscal restraint. Look you are dirt poor. Stop spending like there is no tomorrow. Set spending priorities that make sense and stand your ground. Officials have too much perks. Stop this madness.
3. Accept that you entered office poor and you will leave poor. There is nothing to steal worth stealing in Gambia. Don’t make a mockery of the Office. Just do your job and Allah will bless you in his own time and place.
4. Concentrates on creating a business friendly environment. Less business tax, less oversight burden, availability of cheap source of energy and better roads for transportation of goods and services.
5. Listen to criticism and consider the constructive ones, don’t react to those that disagree with your views, we are all Gambians that want the best for our country. Make this Republic truly FREE. Stop arresting innocent Gambians. This act only diminish you and our country.
Make hay while the sun shines, seize the moment, don’t waste this opportunity. Allah put you here for a reason make it count.
God Bless The Gambia.
Babu good morning first,my question is ,are you not tired of writing the same things since 20yrs ago?am not saying your comments are useless, but can you pull out evidences so that people can believe what you complaining here because for me your complains here ,because i will not call it a comment, its comparable to toilet rolls and please stop this accusations if you don’t have proofs ,that’s why the last time I told you if you don’t mind you will have heart attack because of hatred towards innocent people,what makes you have too much hatred in you against your fellow country men and women?because I will call that. thanks and have a nice day,and one thing again have at the back of your mind that people can’t be equal in any aspects in life
Strangely enough we are learning from reliable sources that the much- slated European Donor Conference for the Gambia is now taking place in the Senegalese capital Dakar, instead of Brussels, Strasbourg or anywhere in Europe not to mention Banjul.
There is much food for thought about this abrupt change of venue about something that discusses the lives, livelihood and future of Gambians.
We have to remember that the Senegalese invading forces under the false aegis of ECOMIG are still on our lovely territory and that the costs they are incurring on our economy will be borne solely by us. And that Senegal is still interested in minting our currency with the Adama Barrow image to accrue some share from the deal.
This UNPATRIOTIC, SELFISH, TRIBALIST, CORRUPT, INEFFICIENT, CONFORMIST SELLOUT administration in Banjul is gradually selling our hard-earned sovereignty to a country that since never wanted an independent Gambia since 1965.
The venue of the Donor Conference on the Gambia was never announced on our TV nor publicized. Our “illiterate” citizenry is consistently blackened out from any essential information that might raise public agitation and complaint like the Musa Suso appointment.
We can gauge the magnitude of the CORRUPTIBLE and deliberate laissez-faire attitudes of this INEPT administration which is NOT doing anything to steer the country towards attaining sustainable socio-economic development.
Once again, I’m calling on our younger, patriotic and more enlightened elites to wake up, form a united vanguard for their FUTURE which is being gradually mortgaged to the outside world most especially to Senegal.
Babu, the current meeting taking place in Dakar is said to be representatives of “Gambian delegates at the ECOWAS parliament forum and extraordinary session at King Fahd place hotel in Dakar Senegal” among them, Hon KKBarrow & others attending (I just got message from the Gambia in quote above & a picture of the deligates)…
Misinformations on devisive devilish twisted manoeuvres never have ever deceived permanently for long & will never work ever, to sow any forms of discord in the Gambia family fraternity; Dukarè Babu, Etay Efohnyola (E-dahala) siilang bang….
The Greedy Sadistic kanilai Ali Murderer baba & the countless mercenaries sycophant services have their minds (wired, glued) tethered unto “donations” /donor funds, loans, grants & the state meagre resources (private & public owned) most of which the devil-Dracula literally DRANK into its very Evil-belly INDEED alongside with our very own bloods in the innocent lives butchered & devoured ruthlessly for 22 years & ate our flesh too in the devil sacrifices to the syndola Idols, such as in the case recently revealed in the manner of murder of the Mile 2 inmates among others for example; & notwithstanding, our very collective toils as a people together…
Alkali koto neneh buka saatay la kairo duwa; bari Babu Soli la ngannyo, afangho kunto (/kang) dorron….
God bless Gambia…
Bajaw,
Stop being party to a SELLOUT company/administration, to a bunch of UNPATRIOTIC Gambians who are gradually selling our country to others. What has the ECOWAS parliamentary session got to do with DONOR discussions for funding the Gambia?
We are all aware that European donor/funding systems take bilateral negotiations. What is the hell in ECOWAS parliament to discuss Gambia’s funding if there isn’t anything obscure thus to dish our money to the ECOWAS body most especially Senegal for their illegal stay in our country.
Be patriotic and put the GAMBIA FIRST, in absolutely everything!
Soli, Gambia was already sold to rebels in Casssamance and fraudsters in Lebanon and Morocco. Where have you been. We are trying to get our country back, and deal with normal and regular institutions.
Babu, the only donor hallucination event is in Babu’s twisted manipulative head; what business does ECOWAS & anybody else can have (total control) to do with any donor conferences specifically for Gambia in particular, when we have our own government to engage with the donors directly, ourselves…?
(You can) Oppose & base your arguments on facts, but not falsification of the events & issues with twisted devilish intentions…
The Gambia can send representatives to regional events in our countries but why will the government accept & relocate something like a Gambian donor event in Dakar for…?
Rectification please – representatives to regional events in other countries…
Thanks
The Gambia is represented at the “ECOWAS parliament forum and extraordinary session at King Fahd place hotel in Dakar Senegal” by a team of (4 male & 1 female) 5 delegates which comprises of the speaker of the House KK Barrow among…
How come if such a very important “donor conference” (as you have twisted) will (we) be represented by them only & not the finance & the relevant ministries & departments as required (supposed to be)…?
Buba, Allah will account you on Day of Judgment, in your deliberations & transgressions against your fellow beings, nor matter how long one may live on earth…
Rectification please – Mr KK Barrow, majority leader in House of representatives, not the speaker…
Thanks
May I ask you where you have been when the Gambia was sold to Senegal in 1981, when Ex-President Diouf sent his invading forces to kill and maim over 8oo of our innocent citizens at the request to Old Daddy Jawara with the aide of Bakary Bunja Darboe, Omar Jallow; Momodou Cadi Cham, Alieu Badara Njie and all the PPP clique. Where were you? Where were you when the Senegalese invading forces were later compensated with raw cash of $1,000,000 for killing our people? Where were you when Old Daddy Jawara shouted on Senegalese radio that ” he will leave the whole Gambia in dust and ashes if a single member of his family were touched”? Where were you?
Tell me who sold the Gambia to Cassamance, Lebanon and Morroco?