By:Bakary Touray Jnr.
The Republics of The Gambia and Turkey have taken solid steps to strengthen entrepreneurial relations between Banjul and Ankara.
This move has been manifested by the visit of the Turkish top business experts to Banjul. The visit, according to the two states, is expected to enhance business ties, as well as further cement relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the opening of the Business 2 Business, in short B2B interface, the Vice President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr. Babucarr Khan, explained that the role of the GCCI is to articulate and position the private sector, so that it could contribute meaningfully towards the realization of the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP).
The Chamber’s second-in-charge believed, central to growth of the Gambian economy is the role and contribution of the private sector, and “this has been well-articulated in the National Development Plan 2018-2021”.
Khan reminded that this is the blueprint developed by the government, charting the way forward in terms of development for the country.
“It is within this context that we are happy to receive members of the private sector from Turkey, to participate, invest and work with their Gambian counterparts to contribute to the growth of the Gambian economy,” the GCCI VP remarked to the audience.
Chairman DIEKT/Turkey-Gambia Business Council, Mr. Saban Dinc, revealed that the trade volume between Gambia and Turkey as of 2018, stands at US$45 million. He pointed out that steel and iron, food and agricultural products form a significant parts of their exports to the Gambia.
The Chairman posited that the countries could develop their cooperation through agriculture, livestock and tourism sectors. According to him, the Business Council aims to carry out the activities to increase trade volumes between the two nations.
The Mayor of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality, Mr. Mehmet Sekmen was among the visiting Turkish side. He acknowledged that, this approach makes their relations more valuable and he used the occasion to thank the government and people of The Gambia, for their friendliness “which has become our strategic cooperation pillar”.
For the Turkish Ambassador to The Gambia, Mr. Ismail Sefa Yuceer, the bilateral engagement indicates decades of cordial relation between the two countries, and he assured that Turkey would remain committed to the development of the Gambia.
