The Standard Chartered Bank Gambia, hosted a Thought Leadership Forum on The Gambia economic outlook last Thursday at Sunset Beach Hotel in Kotu, focusing on the national budget as it relates to the National Development Plan.
This was part of efforts to enhance the relationship between the public sector and the organised private sector. The event was attended by stakeholders, members of the diplomatic corps, policy makers as well as major players from the financial sector.
In his welcome address, KO Adenowo, CEO Standard Chartered Bank The Gambia, said as a responsible institution “we want to assist the government and most importantly the citizenry in The Gambia realise the vision and overall goal of the NDP.
“The 2019 budget highlight as it relates to the National Development Plan forms an important part in today’s discussion as national budgets provide investors, businesses, non-profits, citizens and others a sense of where the current government will invest in or support specific initiatives,” the CEO stated.
He thanked the panelists and the audience for gracing the occasion and assured them of the bank’s commitment to promote dialogue through forums like this.
The key note address and key highlights of the budget and the NDP was delivered by Mamburay Njie, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs.
Joining the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs on the panel were Mr Abdoulie Baks Touray, chairman Gambia Tourism Board and founder/chairman Sahel Investment Management International, Mr Nyang Njie, head branding & communications – Organisation of Islamic Corporation (OIC) Gambia, Mr Yankuba Saidy, permanent secretary Investments, Office of the president.
The interactive forum drew key stakeholders and diverse representatives from most sectors in the Gambian economy who asked important questions and gave positive recommendations on the way forward.
The session was moderated by Mr Alieu Ngum. Emmanuel Kwapong, Standard Chartered Bank’s Africa economist responsible for The Gambia presented the global macroeconomic outlook, the outlook within Africa and its impact in the country and beyond.
