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The Turkish ambassador to The Gambia has hinted at the possibility of more Turkish investment in the country given the cordial Banjul-Ankara relations as well as the open-door policy adopted by the host government towards investors in his country.
12 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2557The Turkish ambassador to The Gambia has hinted at the possibility of more Turkish investment in the country given the cordial Banjul-Ankara relations as well as the open-door policy adopted by the host government towards investors in his country.
In a recent Daily Observer exclusive interview, H.E Ergin Soner also hinted plans to build a standard sea food cold storage facility in Tanji as well as mango and cashew processing facilities in the country as part of efforts to improve food security and expanding rice cultivation in The Gambia.
"The first large-scale investment contract [between the two countries] was signed between NAWEC and Turkish private sector [representatives] for energy development worth US$15M. We are hoping this will not be the first and last; there will be more Turkish companies coming to invest in the country soon," he told the Daily Observer.
The ambassador believes there are lots of prospects and potentials particularly in the agriculture sector, noting that investment in this area could accelerate the government's development targets.
Making reference to the agriculture cooperation agreement signed betweenTurkey and Sudan, Soner said: "These two countries have signed a cooperation deal that will see Turkey's first investment abroad in agriculture. According to this deal agreed in April 2014, the two countries will set up a joint-venture company (80% Turkish and 20% Sudanese) to work on a land (780,000 hectares) in Sudan and exchange of experience. The products will be processed in installations to be established and then exported to other countries. It is worthwhile to mention that a similar cooperation can be realised in The Gambia if a conducive environment and the necessary legal framework is provided. This can include agricultural production, transfer of technology, mechanisation capacity and food safety. This (if workable here) will also support the poorest of the poor of the society and improve the status of the women. We have everything in common to share with our Gambian counterparts."
The diplomat also pointed out the significance of investing in agro-processing to accelerate economic gains, opining that if the government of The Gambia can explore this area, it has the potential of upgrading the living standard of villagers and discourage rural-urban drift. Soner said President Jammeh's 'Vision 2016' is not only commendable, but "achievable", while expressing hope that the objectives of the Vision 2020 would be achieved.
Commitment to ties
The ambassador used the interview to reaffirm his commitment to not only strengthen the ties between Banjul and Ankara, but to diversify it for the mutual benefit of the two countries. He reminded that Turkey has recognised The Gambia since the latter gained her independence in 1965. Since then, he noted, both countries have and continue to enjoy friendly and brotherly relations. He noted that not until a few years ago, in 2005 precisely, the hallmark of relations between these countries was centered on military technical assistance and training.
Ambassador Soner continued: "The mutual opening of the embassies in Banjul (2011) and Ankara (2010) has not only galvanised the bilateral cooperation, but also became a turning point in the way these two countries deal with each other. From this stage on, a solid revitalisation in our relations has been witnessed. I am very happy that as Turkey's second ambassador to The Gambia, my tenure of duty coincides with this period of revitalisation. I am pleased to observe that since I assumed duties in Banjul - a short duration of about 7-8 months now - relations between the two countries have gained momentum. Considerable activities and developments have characterised our relationship. Without any doubt, the visit to Turkey in February 2014 by H.E. Sheik Prof. Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh was historic. In April 2014, for the first time in history, Turkish Naval Ships visited the port of Banjul for more than a week. A Turkish company, for the first time, won a bid in The Gambia. In late May, we witnessed the first meeting of the Joint Economic Commission between Turkey and The Gambia held in Banjul and the first visit to be undertaken by a Turkish minister here."
In diversifying relations between the two nations, Ambassador Soner concluded that they would not only focus on political, economic and trade activities, but also on areas such as cultural, health, education, environmental protection and women empowerment amongst others.
Cr. http://allafrica.com/stories/201406110668.html
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