About

The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA), in strategic partnership with the Gambian High Commission in Dakar-Senegal and the Agence Nationale Pour la Promotion des Investissements et des grands Travaux (APIX), is delighted to announce the 2nd edition of The Senegambia Economic, Trade, & Investment Forum and Cultural Night. The events are respectively scheduled for 19th and 20th December 2024 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Banjul.

Inspired by the series of bilateral agreements between The Gambia and Senegal, the forum aims to foster economic integration, promote trade and investment, and strengthen people-to-people relations.

By bringing together government officials, the Senegalo-Gambia Permanent Secretariat, entrepreneurs, investors, distinguished personalities from both countries and the diplomatic corps, the conclave will create a platform for engagement, collaboration, partnership and growth.

The forum will be a whole day event to attend to Economic, Trade and Investment matters of interest; and Exhibition fair. The events are a testament to the strong bilateral ties between our two nations anchored on deep faith, cultural and ethnic diversity and togetherness as a true sign and symbol for ECOWAS integration.

This year’s forum will consist of high-level plenary sessions, thematic sessions on trade and investment, business meetings and enterprise exhibition. Participation includes Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the respective governments and private sector players and businesses, officials, entrepreneurs, investors, and distinguished personalities from both countries.

The theme of the Forum is "Harmonization of a Friendlier Business Environment". The focus areas are: Bilateral economic cooperation, trade and investment, joint infrastructure projects, special economic zones, Made-in-Gambia and Made-in-Senegal products, digital economy, transport and logistics, medical and health, agriculture and fisheries, oil and gas, arts and tourism.

Objectives

The 2nd edition of The Senegambia Economic, Trade, & Investment Forum and Cultural Night has the following objectives:

1. Strengthen the existing Gambia-Senegal relationship.

2. Promote trade and investment between the two countries.

3. Enhance the implementation of the ECOWAS protocol on trade, free movement of people, goods, and services.

4. Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices between GiEPA and APIX.

5. Improve partnership and Networking between Private sector players and Businesses.

Expected Outcomes

1. Strengthened business environment for both countries.

2. Enhanced trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

3. Increased cooperation and a robust collaborative strategy between GIEPA, APIX and The Gambian Embassy in Dakar.

4. People-to-people relations fostered.

5. Improved coordination between the two governments to facilitating trade and investments.

Methodology

The forum is a five-layered high-profile event, encompassing economic dialogue, exploration of trade and investment opportunities and MSME interface in the form of exposition and exhibition. The forum is to be undertaken in this general framework:

1. High-Level Official Opening Ceremony This will be featuring the Prime Minister of The Republic of Senegal – His Excellency Ousmane Sonko and the Vice President of The Republic of The Gambia – His Excellency Muhammad BS Jallow, Cabinet Ministers, diplomatic representative, senior government dignitaries and key private sector players.

2. Thematic Sessions This will focus on Trade, Export and Investment Promotion and will include Trade, Export and Investment Opportunities Presentations on both The Gambia and Senegal with an interactive Question and Answer Session.

3. Plenary Sessions This will include a series of four high-table distinguished panels, composing of MDA’s, private sectors players, trade unions and employers. They will be participating on the following panels to discuss and map the way forward in key priority areas including:

  • Panel 1: Transport, Logistics, Maritime and Customs
  • Panel 2: Investment Financing and The Business Environment
  • Panel 3: Economic Zones and Infrastructure Development
  • Panel 4: Energy, Oil and Gas
  • Interactive Question and Answer Session

4. Business Meetings This will include meetings between Government-to-Government, Government-to Business, Business-to-Business, Importers-Exporters-Suppliers, Transporters and logistics to name a few.

5. Cultural Night & Awards This will feature a night of culture with key performing artist between the two countries. The event will be preceded with key cultural groups performances with a gala dinner and awards ceremony for individuals and businesses with outstanding footing on the event.

Our Partners

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