Professor Alhagie Yahya Jammeh, President  of the Republic of The Gambia, yesterday, received at State House a high powered delegation comprising investors, key government officials and an array of private businessmen from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The 28-man delegation is currently in the country to explore business investment opportunities, and it is  headed by Mohammed Reza Rezazadeh, Governor General of Fars Province in Iran. They were at State House to brief the Gambian leader about some investment possibilities in the country. They also seized the opportunity to inform President Jammeh about the agreement that have been made between the Chambers of Commerce of the two countries.

Speaking at the meeting held at the cabinet room, President Jammeh thanked the Iranian delegation for the visit, reminding them that the relationship between the two countries dated back to 1994, a relationship he said is of strategic importance. President Jammeh also noted that the significance of their visit lies in the fact that it will serve as a vehicle towards the implementation of all the agreements in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries, in 1994.

He aslo described the visit by the delegation as a practical move, demonstrating Iran’s readiness to implement the agreement in the MOU. Describing the composition of the delegation as good, the Gambian leader noted with satisfaction that it comprised officials from key sectors that are of paramount importance to The Gambia’s development needs.

Professor Jammeh wasted no time in informing the delegation of the country’s numerous potential investments opportunities, as well as its accommodating conditions.

“Our government position is very clear with regards to investment in the country.  You are in a country where you are either free to go alone or partner with a Gambian or non citizen.  What is important is for you to invest in the country,” Professor Jammeh told the delegation. And went on: “ you don’t have a condition where you must have a Gambian partner in order to invest in the country.  It is left to the investor to choose.’’

With regards to incentives for investment in the country, President Jammeh said: “I want to assure you that I don’t think there is any country in Africa that has better incentive than my country. As friends, the issue of incentive may not be an obstacle to your company.”

Commenting on some of the agreements signed between the two chambers of commerce, at a meeting during the course of this visit, which provides for the establishment of a cement factory, agro industry and asphalt industry, Prof Jammeh acknowleged the significance of these areas to the country considering the fact that their products are currently being imported into the country.

The Gambian leader observed that the establishment of factories, specializing in the manufacture of cement and asphalt in The Gambia, would help a great deal in reducing cost, considering the level of spending by his government on infrastructural development, particularly road construction, which he described as one of the most expensive development venture for his administration.

Prof Jammeh also put emphasis on the importance of having pharmerceutical and agro industries. Other areas of investments that interested the Gambian leader included the need for setting up an agricultural equipments plant in the country for promoting agricultural mechanisation, meat production and processing, as well as the setting up of construction companies for more infrastructural developments. While reiterating the country’s potential in hosting investments ventures, president Jammeh urged them for speedy action.

Speaking earlier, Mohammad Reza Rezazadeh, thanked President Jammeh for according them the opportunity to meet him. He told the Gambian leader that the objective of the visit was to enable them find possible investment cooperation between the two sides. He said that their meeting with the Gambian private sector gave them the opportunity to have pertinent information about investment opportunities in the country.

According to the Iranian head of delegation, they had discussed with officials of the department of state for agriculture for the cultivation of 5,000 hectars of land. “My delegation has concluded to establish agro-industry plant in that area,’’ he said, adding that they  were also expected to discuss issues relating to processing and marketing of fish.

While informing president Jammeh that his province is one of the largest cities in Iran with a population of 4.3 million, the Governor General acknowledged the Gambia’s poptential in investment.

“We are certain and sure that The Gambia has a special potential for investment. The location of the country to the rest of the world gives it a very unique advantage”, he said. Mohammed Haghnegahdar, vice chairman of the Shiraz Chamber of Commerce, informed the Gambian leader that his chamber has a membership of 2500 involving in various fields of economic activities.

According to him, they had negotiated with their Gambian counterparts and had come to conclusion, resulting in the signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of cement and asphalt factories in the Gambia, as well as salt purification.

Bai Matarr Drammeh, president of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), hailed President Jammeh for creating bilateral relationship  with between The Gambia and Iran, which he said has resulted into this significant investment trip.
Lamin Kaba Bajo, the Gambian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, spoke at lenght about the investment potential of the visiting delegation.

Other speakers at the meeting included secretaries of state for Trade, and Finance, Abdou Kolley and Mousa Gibriel Bala Gaye, respectively, who all spoke about the country’s investment potential.