The European Union (EU) yesterday announced a new disbursement of D1.25 billion grant to The Gambia government as budget support.
“This budget support will stabilise the national budget and contribute to the balance of payments,” said Mrs Carla Montesi, director for West and Central Africa at the European Commission Directorate of International Cooperation and Development.
She made the announcement following an audience with The Gambian leader, President Adama Barrow, yesterday at the State House in Fajara.
Mrs Montesi said: “Today’s disbursement is an important step forward for the EU’s development partnership with the Gambian government. We remain committed to supporting Gambians in their democratic transition.
“Through this unprecedented grant, the EU aims to promote sound public financial management, mobilising domestic resources and fighting corruption as well as supporting political reforms.
“The EU is also looking forward to strengthening its relations with The Gambia in the fields of migration and economic development and in particular support to youth employment.”
In February 2017, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr Neven Mimica, expressed the European Union’s willingness to partner with The Gambia on its path towards democracy.
In the presence of President Barrow, he signed an immediate package of some D3.75 billion and announced a subsequent one of about D7.5 billion before the end of 2017.
Gambia Gets Over D3 Billion European Union Aid
Jollof Media Network, 01.08.2017
(JollofNews) – The European Union is pumping some 3,75 billion Dalasi into the Gambia to help strengthen the democratisation processs in the small West African country.
The contribution, according to Neven Mimica, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, is part of his organisations commitments to partner with the Gambia on its path towards democracy.
He said the EU will before the end of the year inject an additional D7,5 billion aid into the country.
Announcing the new aid package shortly after her meeting President Adama Barrow, Carla Montesi, director for West and Central Africa at the European Commission Directorate of International Cooperation and Development, said: “Today’s disbursement is an important step forward for the EU’s development partnership with the Gambian Government. We remain committed to supporting Gambians in their democratic transition.
“Through this unprecedented grant, the EU aims to promote sound public financial management, mobilising domestic resources and fighting corruption as well as supporting political reforms.
“The EU is also looking forward to strengthening its relations with the Gambia in the fields of migration and economic development and in particular support to youth employment.”
The European Union is the Gambia’s largest donor. Last month, the organisation, disbursed D1,25 billion to help stabilise the Gambia’s budget and balance of payment.
EU bails out Gambia with 25M Euro Grant
Foroyaa Newspaper, 02.08.2017
By Kebba Jeffang
The European Union (EU) has announced that it has signed a 25 million euros grant (1.25 billion dalasis) with the Gambia as a budget support for the country’s struggling economy. This was announced at a ceremony held on Tuesday, August 01, in Fajara.
Mrs Carla Montesi, Director for West and Central Africa at the European Commission Directorate of International Cooperation and Development, who met President Barrow on Tuesday says: “Today’s disbursement is an important step forward for the EU’s development partnership with the Gambian Government. We remain committed to supporting Gambians in their democratic transition”.
The EU through this grant aims to promote sound public financial management, mobilising domestic resources and fighting corruption as well as supporting political reforms.
“The EU is also looking forward to strengthening its relations with The Gambia in the fields of migration and economic development and in particular support to youth employment,” the statement stated.
It could be recalled that in February 2017 EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr Neven Mimica, expressed the European Union’s willingness to partner with The Gambia on its path towards democracy.
In the presence of President Barrow, he signed an immediate package of some 3.75 billion dalasi and announced a subsequent one of about 7.5 billion dalasi before the end of 2017.
Meanwhile, the press statement from the Office of the President on Tuesday quoted President Barrow saying migration was a challenging issue for young people.
He urged all stakeholders to engage in dialogue, as migration was a global problem that could be best addressed through job creation for the youth. He called for investments that would create jobs to engage the youth in industrial development and in agriculture.
Barrow assured that his administration would cooperate on migration issues and create opportunities for the youth. He commended the EU for supporting the ECOMIG forces in The Gambia and assured the team of the political will to bring positive change in The Gambia.