Nasratu Kargbo
Citizens of Gambia and Sierra Leone will now be exempted from paying duty for goods transacted between the two countries following a landmark trade cooperation agreement signed in Freetown on Thursday 28th October 2021. The Trade Minister of Gambia Sidi Keita and his Sierra Leonean counterpart Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy did the official signing on behalf of their respective governments, at the Ministry of Information and Communications. Another significant development was the removal of residential permits for citizens of the two countries, enabling unlimited stay for Sierra Leoneans living in the Gambia and Gambians in Sierra Leone.
Minister Keita said export of goods from one country to the other will attract zero duty, a development that he said is a free economic incentive to the citizenry of both countries.
He said it will increase the volume of trade between the two countries, and improve the lives of the citizens. He said Gambia imports cooking oil from Indonesia, but noted that it would be more advantageous to rather import the product from Sierra Leone.
Dr. Sandy in his reaction cited how the increase in freight charges brought about by COVID 19 has seen an alarming rise in the prices of goods from countries such as Turkey and China. He further explained that if African countries can trade amongst themselves, then there will be ease, noting that each country has its own competence.
The Minister stated that one of the impediments of trade is movement and for which reason they have enhanced the free movement between Sierra Leone and the Gambia.
He spoke about the inter trade opportunities between the two countries, noting that each country has things to offer to the other. He said the agreement will allow business to flourish in both Sierra Leone and the Gambia.He encouraged the private sector in both countries to do business for the best interest of all parties.
The non-existence of residential permit, Dr. Sandy observed, will encourage the movement of skills from one country to the other, highlighting that it will bring relief to both residents in each country. He explained that there are many Sierra Leonean teachers in the Gambia, adding that if those teachers do not have to pay for resident permit, it would go a long way in helping them financially.
The agreement however stated that citizens of both countries are required to acquire other documents that may attract fees for the purpose of accountability.
The Minister of Internal Affairs in the Gambia, Dr. Mamadou Tangara who was also present, described the event as historic, and the first in the region. He noted that the agreement would encourage expansion of socioeconomic activities in the two countries. Sierra Leone’s Internal Affairs Minister David Panda Noah also expressed similar views.
Copyright © Politico Online 29/10/21
