H.E THE PRESIDENT DR. KUMBA YALLA VISIT TO THE GAMBIA

The President of Guinea Bissau Dr. Kumba Yalla on Tuesday visited the Gambia Tourism Authority Office at Kololi and the four million-dollar fisheries project at Tanji in Kombo South. The visit forms part of president Yalla's two-day visit in the Gambia. Dr. Yalla was accompanied to the sites by the Secretaries of state for Tourism and Culture as well as Fisheries Natural Resources and the Environment - Yankuba Touray and Susan Waffa Ogoo respectively.

The Marketing Manager Malick Jeng took Dr Yalla and entourage on a conducted tour of the GTA complex. Mr. Jeng underscored the importance of the tourism sector, which he said accounts for 16 percent of the country's gross domestic product. He said that the GTA was established to promote and market the Gambia as a Tourist destination.

Speaking at a reception held in honour of President Yalla and delegation, the Secretary of State Touray, reiterated government's commitment to the development and promotion of Tourism in the Gambia and the sub-region. Hon. Touray described President Yalla's visit as yet another manifestation of the cordial relationship between the two countries.

Speaking at the Tanji fisheries project, the Secretary of State for Fisheries Susan Waffa Ogoo suggested for the creation of a bilateral fishing co-operation agreement between two countries. Mrs Waffa Ogoo also used the occasion to thank the Japanese government for their immense support to her department.

She further revealed that, a similar, but a bigger project is under construction at Gunjur, and is expected to be ready by March next year.

The Director of Fisheries Ousman Drammeh said that since the inauguration of the ICE plant in May last year, it has generated a net profit of one million and 38 thousand dalasi. The commissioner Western Division Momodou Lamin Jobarteh delivered the welcome remarks.

The President of Guinea-Bissau, Dr. Koumba Yalla has described his mission to the Gambia as a routine visit, which aims to further strengthen closer ties between the two countries. President Yalla was speaking in an interview with reporters before his departure home, on Wednesday at the Banjul International Airport.

His host President Dr. Alhaji Yahya Jammeh told reporters that he had discussed with President Yalla issues pertaining to the economy and the crisis in Ivory Coast. Commenting on the forthcoming elections in Bissau, President Jammeh said that the Gambia would help to strengthen the electoral system in Bissau through the provision of logistics, personnel as well as monitoring support.
Reported by Lamin SM Jaiteh.

The two leaders seated for tete-a-tete.

President Yalla takes leave of President Jammeh.