By Astou Jawara
The Directorate of Employment at the Gambia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE), in collaboration with the German Cooperation on Migration Development Programme, GIZ Gambia, on Monday,17th January 2022, convened a signing ceremony on the implementation of Programme Migration for Development (PME), held at the Trade Ministry’s complex in Banjul.
The PME is part of the “Returning to New Opportunities” programme initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2017, via advisory centers for jobs, migration and reintegration. The centers would provide tailored advice and information on training and employment options and organize job and career fairs, information events, and application training.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Trade and Employment, Mr. Seedy Keita, noted with coming of the Programme Migration for Development, the project would improve socio-economic prospects for local populations, internally displaced persons and returnees in their respective country of origin, through a transnational 360° approach, offering advice on reintegration and employment in both Germany and countries of origin.
“The signing of this agreement entails among others, a mutual collaboration on the objectives of the PME (improving the prospects of economic and social participation for returnees and the local population selected in The Gambia) and that of MoTIE for a better collaboration,” said the MoTIE boss.
He said the PME would focus on employment promotion, skills development, return and reintegration support through individual and client-oriented advice, and career guidance for people seeking employment, vocational training, startup/entrepreneurship support, assistance with job placement and matching.
According to the minister, the PME Project would impact on the lives of the intended beneficiaries.
“I thank you for bringing such a vital initiative to MoTIE, and to the Gambia, in general,” Keita remarked.
