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The European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Attila Lajos Wednesday, August 15, organized a breakfast briefing with The Gambian press at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi.
The roundtable discussions was centred on the European Union’s cooperation with the ‘New Gambia’ as regards to where it stands after six months of the new dispensation.
Ambassador Lajos referred to the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica in his discussions with the press.
“The European Union stands ready to fully support the President, H.E Adama Barrow, his government and the Gambian people on the path of democratic reforms.
” He mentioned that the first package of €75 Million Euro which he said was immediately decided have now started including 4 other projects to address food insecurity, 2 projects in the field of agriculture and rural development and 2 calls for proposals for NGOs.
Ambassador Lajos spoke about two other projects for D810 Million meant to create jobs for the smooth reintegration of returnee migrants which he said will be reinforced next year.
“Very recently, on 31 July, the EU made a first disbursement of D1.35 Billion directly to the Treasury,” Ambassador Attila Lajos asserted.
“More will come, we are serious about that. We have strengthened our team and will do more to do so,” he added.
Mr. Lajos said the EU have also firmly offered to organise an International Donor Conference at the beginning of 2018. He spoke about the plans to invest in job creation, access to finance, energy, infrastructure, climate change and private sector competitiveness among others. They will prepare a second phase of budget support.
Many questions were raised regarding meaningful change in terms of sustainable development.
The EU Ambassador expressed confidence in a new Gambia saying there is peace which can help offer a great future to all its sons and daughters to live up their hopes and expectations in freedom and prosperity.
“This is The Gambia we wish to accompany the Gambia Government towards. This is not about aid or charity but it is about cooperation,” he stated.
A young Gambian social entrepreneur in the name of Alieu Jallow spoke about his experience at the European Development Days which was organized by the European Commission bringing together 5000 people from 140 countries in Brussels last June.
He is a 26 year old who founded the ‘Young Entrepreneur Association of the Gambia’ and in 2015, he founded the first ever business incubator ‘Startup Incubator Gambia’. He is training and creating jobs for many young people.
