The government of The Gambia, under the framework agreement signed with the republic of Venezuela, will provide medical assistance in the area of herbal medicine to Venezuela.

According to the Secretary of State for Higher Education Crispin Grey Johnson, who tabled the motion on the Framework Agreement of Cooperation at the National Assembly last Thursday, The Gambia is prepared to offer the Venezuelan republic 1000 dozens of herbal medicine every two months for the treatment of asthma. He noted that this is a further testimony of the goodwill of both the people of The Gambia and the Bolivian republic of Venezuela to develop and grow together. He added that the initiative is aimed at further strengthening the relations in the area of health, agriculture, education, petroleum and infrastructure as indicated in the framework agreement itself.

Secy Grey Johnson stated that President Hugo Chavez’s acceptance of The Gambia’s invitation to attend and address the African Union Summit of heads of states and governments held in Banjul last year had clearly demonstrated that the Bolivian republic of Venezuela has had keen interest in taking the level of friendship and cooperation between the Gambia and Venezuela to a higher height.

“ Since then, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has undertaken several trips to Venezuela to prepare the ground for meaningful achievements to be realised under the auspices of the framework agreement,” he said, adding that this has brought about a new bond in the relationship between the two countries which has since progressed from strength to strength.

He assured National Assembly Members that the framework agreement is balanced and augurs very well for the spirit of South-South co-operation, from which both countries stand to benefit immensely.