Gambian leader welcomes Turkish business delegation

Mustapha K Darboe

BANJUL, Gambia (AA) - Gambian President Adama Barrow on Wednesday promised a conducive environment for Turkish businesses as he met a 10-member delegation from the Turkish-Gambia Business Council.

Barrow said his government would encourage investments from Turkish companies in areas such as fisheries and energy.

He added that his administration was committed to providing a democratic atmosphere, respect for rule of law, and a secure environment for business to thrive.

Aygun Karakas, head of the Turkish-Gambia Business Council, told reporters following their closed-door meeting with Barrow that they had held discussions on various fields including air transport and higher education.

"This year there will be nine students coming to Turkey on a scholarship to study at graduate, undergraduate and PhD levels," he said.

"More importantly, this year we are going to start bringing Turkish educators and professors to Gambia and also from Gambia to Turkey," he added.

Karakas also said they were ready to invest in a 40-50 megawatt solar project in Gambia, and contribute to healthcare services with a construction of a 150-bed pediatric and general hospital.

He also announced the launch of bi-weekly direct flights between Istanbul and Banjul in the first quarter of 2018.

President Barrow was informed that a team from Turkey was already in Gambia to carry out a feasibility study on the conditions for having regular direct flights.

Karakas also told reporters that Istanbul University of Commerce and the University of The Gambia had penned a collaboration agreement on visitor exchanges and scholarship.

The Turkish delegates arrived in Gambia on Tuesday and held meetings with Gambia’s foreign minister, agriculture minister and foreign affairs minister. They also met several key private and public sector players in the country.