by Mariatou Ngum
Stakeholders from different Ministries and Departments, led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE) last week converged at a hotel to validate the country’s Domestic Trade Strategy, marking a crucial milestone in the efforts to promote the development of trade in The Gambia.
The strategy aims to promote economic growth by supporting and strengthening the internal trade efficiency and competitiveness, enhancing the integration of domestic trade, removing trade barriers and encouraging modernisation and innovation. It is meant to stimulate the production of domestic goods, optimise the utilisation of domestic markets, fostering sustainable restructuring and positioning The Gambia favourably within regional and international trade integrations.
In his opening statement, Mr.Abdoulie Jammeh, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at MoTIE, said the ministry has developed the strategy to create a competitive trading environment, support local production, enhance value addition along the supply chain, facilitate market access, and promote domestically made products.
He said the strategy will increase business productivity and efficiency while boosting the country’s economic competitiveness and promoting job creation, by creating a favourable business climate and the development of efficient trade-related infrastructure and services. To achieve this, DPS Jammeh explained that the strategy encompasses eleven fundamental pillars including, trade capacity development, enhancing market competitiveness, ensuring regulatory compliance, investment promotion and facilitation, promoting job creation and employment growth, strengthening trade related institutions, trade facilitation and efficiency and policy alignment and synergy.
According to him, to further enrich and deepen the strategy, specific attention was given to promote the procurement of locally made products within governmental and institutional frameworks to stimulate local industries.
Lamin Dampha, Executive Director, Centre for Policy, Research, and Strategic Studies (CepRass) called for active participation in the validation process, provision of constructive feedback and insights that will further refine and strengthen the strategy.
He reaffirmed their collective commitment to fostering economic growth, enhancing market competitiveness and empowering local producers and traders.
Dampha said the strategy represents a roadmap for unlocking the full potential of domestic trade in our nation, aligning with the priorities outlined in the National Development Plan, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
