Basse, The Gambia, 03 October 2024 – The second official opening ceremony of the Trade Facilitation West Africa (TFWA) Program in The Gambia-a five-month program, yesterday, 03rd October 2024 was held at the Regional Agriculture Directorate in Basse, Upper River Region (URR).
The project is funded by TWFA, implemented and coordinated by GYIN Gambia and Doorways.
TFWA is funded by USAID, the Netherlands, the European Union, and GIZ and implemented by the World Bank Group and GIZ, with strategic oversight from a Steering Committee chaired by ECOWAS with UEMOA as Deputy Chair.
Officially declaring the TFWA 6 weeks training open in URR, Mr Samba Bah, Governor of the URR stated that cross-border trade is often the main, if not the only, source of income for rural households in border areas.
He added: “The fact that URR has been identified as a centre for the TFWA Program, is even more gratifying since we are bordered on three areas with Senegal and our border villages would definitely make these 6 weeks training a successful one.”
Governor Bah, thanked and commended GYIN Gambia for the great work they’re doing in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
“I will tell you this, I associated myself with GYIN Gambia’s Rural Youth Awards in 2019 which was organized at Wuli and Sandu Development Agency (WASDA).”
Governor Bah emphasized on the achievements and impactful projects and programmes GYIN Gambia is delivering not only in URR abut across the country, citing the Agribusiness project, packaging and labelling trainings, digital skills trainings, coaching and mentoring among others.
Governor Bah ranked GYIN Gambia project implementation and delivery of services as A+ and urged the network to keep up with the momentum.
According to Governor Bah, he is glad that the small-scale cross-border project implemented and coordinated by GYIN Gambia and Doorways in Germany are in line with the National Development Plan (NDP).
Deputizing for the Chairman of Basse Area Council, Honorable Saikou T. Drammeh, Councilor Basse Area Council, said “on behalf of the Basse Area Council, I extend a warm welcome to all of you here today for the opening ceremony of the Trade Facilitation West Africa (TFWA) Programme. This occasion marks a vital moment for our region and for the future of cross-border trade in West Africa. We are honored for the hosting of this event and to witness the beginning of a program that promises to empower our traders, especially the women who play a critical role in driving local commerce.”
According to him, the TFWA initiative, supported by multiple international donors and implemented by the World Bank and GIZ, is more than just a program—it is a strategic effort to break down the barriers that have long hindered the progress of our small-scale traders. We understand the difficulties faced by traders in navigating trade rules and procedures, and we applaud the foresights of this initiative to address these challenges head-on, by providing much-needed training and awareness-building.
As a council, Drammeh said, they are keenly aware of the importance of trade facilitation in enhancing the economic well-being of their people. By improving trade conditions and reducing barriers, particularly for the women traders, they are taking a significant step toward regional integration and economic prosperity. This initiative aligns perfectly with the council’s vision of empowering the citizens and fostering sustainable development in the Upper River Region.
He continued: “I want to assure everyone present today that our council is fully committed to supporting and cooperating with this program in every way possible. We believe that through partnerships like this, we can provide the foundation for long-term economic growth, strengthen our communities, and contribute to the broader goals of regional integration in West Africa.
Hon. Drammeh finally extended his sincere thanks to GYIN Gambia Chapter and its partners for bringing this initiative to his region, and to the international bodies supporting this effort, saying: “Your commitment to improving the lives of small-scale traders, particularly women, is commendable and deeply appreciated.”
He finally encouraged all the participants to engage fully with the training, absorb the knowledge, and take advantage of this unique opportunity to strengthen their businesses and expand their reach across borders. “Together, we can create a future where trade is a tool for growth, empowerment, and shared prosperity in our region and beyond,” he concluded.
Mr. Sanjally Kanuteh, Manager Customs, Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) Basse, URR commended the partners for doing the job that GRA should be doing i.e organizing awareness activities for small-scale cross-border traders to their rights and responsibilities in cross-border trade.
GRA’s Kanuteh spoke at length on GRA’s role, functions and mandates, saying The Gambia is a tax-based country and called on all small-scale cross-border traders to pay tax. By paying tax, he explained, GRA will be able to build the nation with tax payers’ money.
He also cited some of the challenges GRA faces while calling on all sundry to pay their taxes on time.
Mr. Modou H. Bah, Officer Commanding, Gambia Immigration Department (GID), Basse, URR in his speech, emphasized on the importance of documentation and called on all small-scall cross-border traders to have proper documentation. Having proper documentation, he said, will facilitate easy movement of people and goods.
He spoke at length on the TFWA objectives and thanked the TFWA Partners for this good initiative.
Mamadou Edrisa Njie, Team Leader TFWA Program in The Gambia who also doubled as the Executive Director of GYIN Gambia, said the TFWA Program objective include improving the movement of goods along selected corridors within the region and at the international level by reducing delays and costs borne by the private sector.
He added that the TFWA Program is to strengthen the capacity of women and men traders’ networks to take advantage of improvements thus improve trade facilitation measures in West Africa and implement these more effectively.
Additionally, to reduce barriers faced by small traders and other key actors, especially women, through reforms and trade facilitation programs.
Mrs. Ida L.B Ceesay, moderated the official opening ceremony and in attendance, TFWA Trainer, Mr Omar Jabang, beneficiaries and among others.