In an audience with the French Ambassador to The Gambia, Philippe Lalliot, on Monday, March 20th, at the Statehouse in Banjul, President Adama Barrow thanked the French government for supporting his government since 2017. He reiterated his government’s commitment to development, prioritizing national security through training, infrastructural development, and logistics to promote political stability in a safe, stable, and peaceful environment as part of its reforms.
Discussing other sectors, President Barrow called for partner intervention with financial and technological support to transform agriculture into a business enterprise. He said his government is responsible for supporting the sector, especially land rehabilitation. The President stressed that “agriculture can change people’s lives, create job opportunities, and help address migration.” He also cited health and energy as other important priorities of his government.
Additionally, President Barrow acclaimed the friendly, peaceful, stable, and legal environment for doing business in The Gambia and urged French investors to explore the positive climate that serves beyond the Gambian market.
He called for dialogue and diplomacy to thrive on bilateral and other global geopolitical issues, stating that “the social and economic consequences of war are not helping either side, and I call for us to take collective responsibility to negotiate peace.”
Following his meeting with the President, Ambassador Philippe Lalliot told the waiting press that he is in the country to sign three agreements in the areas of higher education, water access and management, and €3 million in budget support to reduce the fiscal deficit and respond to the 2022 floods disaster.
In addition, the Ambassador said they discussed strengthening the solid bilateral ties and other areas, including agriculture, food security, environment, health, education, and public finance management.
The French Ambassador’s visit is also part of activities marking International Francophonie Day.
