Abdou Colley, Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Employment on Tuesday presided over the validation workshop of the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) of the Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance, held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

Speaking at the ceremony, SOS Colley said that The Gambia has maintained a liberal trade region since the introduction of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) in 1985. He said since The Gambia became a member of the World Trade Organisation (W.T.O) in October 1996 it assumed full responsibility of all its obligations under this treaty.

According to him, the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study has assessed the overall competitiveness of The Gambia’s economy identified sectors of greatest export and growth potentials, outlined constraints to trade and presented an Action Matrix.

“It provides the analytical foundation for policy formation noting that Trade Related Technical assistance needs to enhance the country’s prospects for increased integration into the global economy”, he said.
For her part, Mrs. Helene Cave, EU Charge d’Affaires said their role is to assist financially or provide technical assistance, in the sector highlighted in the Matrix of actions. She assured the gathering that they will indirectly assist the Government with European Development Fund (EDF) resources, particularly in the field of capacity building and their upcoming 10th EDF.

Mrs. Sari Laaksonen, a representative from the World Trade Organisation (WTO), said implementation of recommendations is the next step, noting that effective implementation of National Development Initiatives should be put in place.