As the Holy Month of Ramadan is fast approaching, Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE), Baboucarr O. Joof, announced Friday a series of measures being put up by government to contain rising food prices.l
Speakers to reporters during a presser held on the Ministry grounds in Banjul, the Minister of Trade in spite of continued disruptions of the international supply chain, they were able to seal a deal with the government of India and to secure “a waiver for 150000 tons of rice in 2023.” He then added that “a new extension has been granted for 2024.”
“In addition, MOTIE is also in discussions with the Government of India on a special request to include sugar as a part of its waiver support to the Government of The Gambia,” he said.
Joof further stated that MOTIE is teaming up with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs to “secure trade finance facilities for Gambian businesses to be able to import commodities into the markets.”
As a result, he went on, discussions are well advanced in the case of Badea facility of US$50 million.
He further indicated that government is also taking action to protect local producers by imposing “a moratorium on the importation of onions and potatoes in order to support domestic producers to boost production and supply the markets.”
Minister took the opportunity to shine a light on the Jokalanteh project, saying it “provides an avenue to connect local producers to the markets and ensure that women horticulture producers are empowered to boost their produce and their livelihoods.”
Boosting Women Businesses
Weighing in on the support to women businesses, he dived deep into initiatives taken in partnership with ITC to launch the SheTrades Hub Programme in November 2021, “which now made The Gambia to be part of the Global SheTrades Hub community to continue to support women participation in trade.”
Up to 90 women owned businesses under SheTrades initiatives funded by EIF and implemented in collaboration with ITC, he added. “Under the SheTrades initiative, we were able to build the capacities of women businesses through the provision of equipment and trainings to improve the quality and packaging of their products as well as for them to effectively managed their businesses.”
Similar actions are being spearheaded by MOTIE, targeting 15 fashion companies and 25 food processors who have been picked to be part of an additional cohort under SheTrades.
Up to 130 women companies, he said, are now working with the ministry. “The goal was to strengthen women’s effective participation in trade by improving their competitiveness and market linkages,” he emphasized.
“The catalytic project successfully linked over 138 women-owned businesses to buyers abroad and transnational value chains as well as support their participation in national and international trade fairs,” the Minister added.
Additionally, he also said the HUB also provide equipment supports to women businesses worth US$50,000 with the support of EIF.
“The HUB awarded 35 women businesses in the fashion and horticulture sectors with equipment valued over GMD3Million,” he pointed out while indicating that “with the support ITC nine HUB members in fashion and agric business were granted machines and equipment worth over USD90,000.”
