By Samsideen Ceesay
Information Officer, MoTIE
The Directorate of Employment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) in collaboration with the German Cooperation on Migration Development Programme; GIZ Gambia on Monday 17th January 2022 convened a signing ceremony on the implementation of Programme Migration for Development Programme (PME) held at the Trade Ministry’s complex in Banjul.
The Programme Migration for Development (PME) is part of the “Returning to New Opportunities” programme initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2017 via advisory centers for jobs, migration and reintegration. The centers will provide tailored advice and information on training and employment options and organize job and career fairs, information events, and application training.
Speaking at the event, the Hon Minister of Trade, Seedy Keita said with the coming of the Programme Migration for Development, the project will improve socio-economic prospects for local populations, internally displaced persons and returnees in their respective country of origin through a transnational 360° approach, offering advice on reintegration and employment in both Germany and countries of origin.
He affirmed that: “The signing of this agreement entails among others, a mutual collaboration on the objectives of the PME (improving the prospects of economic and social participation for returnees and the local population in selected in The Gambia) and that of MOTIE for a better collaboration.”
He pointed out that the PME will focus on employment promotion, skills development, return and reintegration support through individual and client-oriented advice, and career guidance for people seeking employment, vocational training, startup/entrepreneurship support, assistance with job placement and matching.
He noted that the PME Project will impact on the lives of the intended beneficiaries, “I thank you for bringing such a vital initiative to MOTIE and to the Gambia in general,” Minister Keita stated.
