Arifi Saiman, the charge d’affairs of the Indonesian mission to The Gambia, who is based in Dakar, Senegal, has pledged his country’s support for President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh in his strive to transform the country into a buoyant economy of the West African sub-region.

Mr Saiman walked into the Daily Observer offices, on Tuesday, accompanied by his third secretary, Mr Ghofar Ismail, to express their satisfaction with the ongoing 2007 Trade Fair at the Independence Stadium, where they occupy one of the stalls.

“The Gambia is important to Indonesia, both in politics and in religion, and the strategic position of the country makes it an important gateway to the West African market,” he said.

The Indonesian charge d’affair described their participation as crucial, as “it marks the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the two countries”.

Describing President Jammeh as “a good leader and a man of vision”, Mr Saiman stressed that his country and its leadership have a high regard for the Gambian leader.

He revealed plans for the reactivation of the Agricultural Center in Genoi, Lower River Region, where farming will focus on the cultivation of paddy rice; a variety he said is suitable for Gambian soil.

“Twelve hand tractors have already been shipped and are expected to arrive in The Gambia by late December. This will be followed by a visit by our agriculture minister,” he confirmed.

This, the Indonesian charge d’ affairs went on, is in line with the food self-sufficiency goal of the Gambian leader.



“The Gambia is small but strong. And this is reflected in the visionary leadership of your head of state. His dream of making The Gambia the economic superpower of West Africa will come true,” he said.

Mr Saiman cited Singapore as an example of a small but prosperous country. To this end, he said The Gambia, with its oil exploration prospects, has the potential to be stronger than Singapore as the latter has no oil.

He took the opportunity to thank President Jammeh for “his brotherly humanitarian gesture” of sending a container full of gifts to Indonesia in the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster that hit the country.

Mr Saiman also elaborated on other issues, including the President’s treatment programme; a move, he said, Indonesians totally support.

He disclosed that under the Indonesian cultural mission martial artists will visit The Gambia, adding that this has some link with the curing of certain diseases.