The Guinea Bissau Prime Minister Carlos Gomez Jnr. and delegation Thursday called on the President Professor Alhaji Yahya Jammeh at State House. Addressing the gathering Professor Jammeh spoke of the historical and cultural ties between the two countries. The Gambian leader assured the Prime Minister of his government's resolve to assist the people of Guinea Bissau realize their development aspirations. Professor Jammeh advised the Prime Minister to invest in education, health, agriculture amongst other areas in order to expedite the sustainable development of his country.

The Gambian leader also used the occasion to call for more inter-African trade relations so as to strengthen economic integration, noting that Africans need to work together to solve their problems. President Jammeh also commended the Guinea Bissau political parties for respecting the terms of the MOU signed in Banjul prior to the last November parliamentary elections in Guinea Bissau. The Gambian leader also announced that from now on Guinea Bissau nationals are exempted from paying alien certificate.

In his speech, Prime Minister Gomez said The Gambia's peace and stability and economic growth is a source of inspiration for the people of Guinea Bissau. Mr. Gomez also hailed Professor Jammeh for his Pan African ideals as well as his peace efforts in Guinea Bissau and the sub-region.

Meanwhile the governments of Guinea Bissau and The Gambia issued a joint communique at the end of Prime Minister Gomez's working visit. According to the communique read by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Omar Touray, the two countries agreed to bolster bilateral cooperation between them. They also expressed their resolve to cooperate in the areas of energy, infrastructure, mining, trade and fisheries. Speaking at a news conference at the Banjul International Airport, Prime Minister Gomez and Madam Njie-Saidy renewed the commitment of the two governments to work together.