In the delegation of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, we note the presence of the director general of the Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Major Works (Apix SA), Séga Bathily. The latter, during the opening of the second session of the economic, commercial and investment forum, exposed the potential of Senegal, but also the current challenges which hamper the economy of the two States.
Senegal, which recently joined the circle of oil-producing countries, is enjoying good momentum. In addition to this progress, the country of “Téranga” has 4 million hectares of arable land, or nearly 20% of its surface area, employing 70% of its active population. In addition, the hydrocarbon sector in Senegal is experiencing promising dynamics, with oil and gas production effective since the end of 2023. These statistics, shared yesterday in Banjul by the general director of Apix, Séga Bathily, show that the business climate could noticeably experience a clear improvement in the Senegambian area.
However, Abdoulaye Baldé’s successor revealed that the challenges still remain numerous. “Since the first edition of this forum, held in Dakar in October 2023, significant progress has been made, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Dakar Dem Dikk (Senegal) and the Gambia Transport Service Company, facilitating the movement of people and goods, as well as the establishment of a strategic partnership between Apix SA and the Gambian Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) aimed at promoting and facilitating bilateral investments,” Mr. Bathily.
However, the CEO of Apix SA indicated that despite this progress, “challenges remain for the sustainable development of our natural resources, increased regional integration, and the structuring of a dynamic and innovative private sector”. Recognizing that the Gambia and Senegal are full of quality natural and human resources, the general director of Apix SA revealed that, just like the country of “Téranga”, the Gambia has “equally impressive, particularly in the areas of agriculture, tourism and services”. In this regard, Mr. Bathily maintained that peanut production, representing 30% of the Gambia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing 70% of the population, “could lead our governments to work on a common agricultural policy on this sub-sector in order to benefit more from it on the national and international markets.
Like Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, the CEO of Apix SA called for “joining forces to develop key sectors such as agriculture, agro-industry, ICT and renewable energies”. But, to achieve this, he said, he suggested removing existing obstacles, in particular the revision of transit taxes and the harmonization of customs procedures. Present in Banjul, as part of the said forum, eminent members of the Senegalese private sector, including Serigne Mboup, president of the National Union of Trade Chambers of Senegal, and Amadou Seck, CEO of Eurogen, greeted the unanimously the sovereignist speech of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. For them, the economic integration of States necessarily involves the creation of a common market.
PM’S AGENDA IN BANJUL
This Friday, in the morning, in addition to activities related to the forum, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Gambia, Muhammed BS Jallow, will chair the 5th session of the Joint Consultative Commission responsible for monitoring the cooperation between the two countries, before hosting, shortly before 1 p.m., a joint press conference at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center.
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