Ms. Mandisa Mashologu, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday, officially handed over laptops and printers to Hon. Baboucarr O. Joof, the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MoTIE), during a presentation ceremony held at the Ministry’s conference hall.
In his remarks, Minister Joof expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the UNDP’s support, highlighting their crucial role in facilitating reforms and reviewing key policies within the ministry. He specifically noted the positive impact of the Shanghai Initiative in Chamen, located in the North Bank Region, and called for its expansion to benefit more communities.
“UNDP’s work has been invaluable to us, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration,” he stated. He emphasized the practical significance of the donated equipment as a tangible demonstration of support.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Mandisa Mashologu thanked the staff of MoTIE, reiterating that the ministry is one of UNDP’s key partners. She reflected on the successful collaborations that have spanned several years and expressed enthusiasm for the future.
She stated that 2024 marks the beginning of their new UN cooperation framework and country programme, presented to the Executive Board in New York. This framework outlines UNDP’s commitment to enhancing support for national development priorities, with a focus on expanding their portfolio in green and inclusive growth—areas central to their ongoing engagements. Moreover, she emphasized that UNDP is actively involved in environmental resilience and climate change initiatives, serving as the leading technical programming agency in these domains along with governance and accountability.
Ms. Mashologu highlighted their objective of leveraging this new cooperation framework and country programme to ensure the continuation of holistic programmes, building upon the gains made through the Yiriwa programme launched last year. She reaffirmed that their priority lies in creating opportunities for sustainable development for the youth and women of The Gambia.
Mr. Omar Badjie, Director of Industry, Investment, and SMEs at MoTIE, took the opportunity to express gratitude to UNDP for their unwavering support. He acknowledged the strong partnership between UNDP and the Ministry, which has led to comprehensive reviews and updates of all ministry policies. He particularly highlighted the Support for Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development initiative, which has been a transformative programme, benefiting many lives and livelihoods throughout The Gambia, especially through The Gambia Songhai Initiative.
Director Badjie noted, “With the support we’ve received, we have reached nearly 5,000 businesses and associations across the country, focusing on women, youth, and vulnerable groups. We are optimistic about a fruitful partnership in the next cycle.”
