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EU-Gambia Partnership: Strengthening Development and Cooperation

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The Head of the European Union Delegation to The Gambia has highlighted various aspects of the EU-Gambia partnership, focusing on development cooperation, security, budget support, infrastructure, tourism, education, and fisheries.

Development Cooperation

The EU is committed to supporting The Gambia’s development through a range of programs and initiatives.

Key Initiatives

  • A contract was signed with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a 20 MW solar power plant, which will provide access to electricity for all public schools and clinics in The Gambia.
  • The EIB funding will also help upgrade distribution lines and provide electricity access to all public schools and clinics.

Security

The EU is working to ensure security in The Gambia through various measures.

Key Initiatives

  • The EU is funding the ECOMIG forces stationed in The Gambia until August 2019.
  • The EU is supporting the Security Sector Reform (SSR) by providing technical assistance to strengthen the Gambian government’s capacity to ensure security.

Budget Support

The EU has provided budget support to The Gambia to help balance its budgetary situation.

Key Developments

  • A fresh tranche of 1,375 billion GMD was disbursed as budget support at the beginning of 2019.
  • The EU will continue to provide budget support if macro-economic indicators remain on track and public finance management reforms are implemented.

Infrastructure

The EU has signed new agreements in the infrastructure sector, aimed at promoting economic development.

Key Initiatives

  • A contract with the African Development Bank (AfDB) for a 20-year program that will allow Gambian products to access the European market, creating jobs and increasing revenue.
  • A contract with the EIB for a 20 MW solar power plant, which will provide electricity access to all public schools and clinics in The Gambia.

Tourism

The EU is working to promote tourism in The Gambia, focusing on sustainable development and job creation.

Key Initiatives

  • The EU is working on contractual farming to promote Gambian products in restaurants and hotels at the coast.
  • The EU wants more tourists to visit the countryside and spend money there too.

Education

The EU has established programs to support education in The Gambia, including scholarships and exchanges.

Key Initiatives

  • Every year, the EU covers the mobility of a number of Gambian students and teachers to European universities and high schools.
  • The Erasmus+ scheme allowed for 49 exchanges between Gambians and Europeans in 2018, with a new call for applications recently launched.

Fisheries

The EU has signed a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with The Gambia, aimed at promoting sustainable fishing practices.

Key Developments

  • A Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement was signed between the EU and The Gambia in 2018.
  • The agreement will strictly frame European fishing in Gambian waters while reinforcing Gambian capacities for sustainable governance of fisheries.