I must first of all say how wonderful it is to be back in the Gambia and
back on the L. Having said that, I would like to present some statistics
about the Gambian economy with the hope that those with economic background
will give us an indication of their interpretation of these figures and what
our prospects for 2002 might be.
With the rainy season all but over, this year's crop yields are generally
expected to improve over last year's. Since my arrival, just over a week
ago, there had been two unexpected rains and many have expressed the view
that such rains be very prove devastating for our rural folks whose
groundnuts are laid to dry.
There are indications also that this year's tourism arrivals would be much
better than that of last year despite the devastating effects that the
attacks of the September 11 has on air travel in general.
Culled from the Daily Observer.
Gambia Experience to bring in 21,000 tourists this year (By Philip Mendy).
The manager of the Gambia Experience resort, Joyse Stavroulakis, has
revealed that her organisation is expected to bring over 21,000 tourists to
the Gambia this winter season.
Mrs. Stavroulakis made this revelation on Friday, November 2, 2001 at the
Banjul International airport during the arrival of an additional friday
flight service from London, Gatwick and the weekly Friday Manchester flight.
She said her company was offering holiday makers and business travelers for
the first time ever, a regional flight service from Bristol to Banjul. Mrs
Stavroulakis further revealed that the four flights that arrived on Friday
brought over 1,000 tourists for what she described as a bumber winter
season.
"We are now in our fifteenth year, bringing tourists to The Gambia and we
are extremely proud of the service we can provide the Uk market. we are
confident that it is going to be a great winter tourist season. This year's
programme has improved 40% compared to last year's".
Asked whether the September 11 terrorist attack on the US would have any
negative impact on the tourist season this year, she responded in the
negative, saying "there is no problem in The Gambia except, may be some
tourist will not like to stay away from their families".
In another development, the economy is, in general expected to improve
further despite the high cost of petroleum products and the recent pressure
on the Dalasi.
Below is a summary outlining the economy of The Gambia as compiled and
produced by the IMF in collaboration with The government of The Gambia which
Gamnomics (of the Daily Observer) culled from West Africa Magazine.
The Gambia: Selected Economic and Financial indicators, 1995/96 - 2001.
1995/96 1996/97 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
est. Proj'n Proj'n
(Annual percentage changes)
Domestic economy
Real GDP 5.3 0.8 4.9 3.5 6.4 5.6 5.7
Normal GDP 8.8 5.3 7.7 6.1 11.0 9.5 10.0
GDP deflator 3.3 4.5 2.6 2.1 4.4 3.8 4.0
CPI 4.8 2.1 2.8 1.1 3.8 0.9 4.0
(Period average)
G'nut prod'n 75.2 45.8 78.1 73.5 123.0 138.0 149.0
('000 metric tonnes)
(In per cent of GDP)
1995/96 '96/97 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
est. Proj'n Proj'n
G. fixed Investm' 23.4 19.3 17.2 18.4 17.8 17.3 17.9
Government 12.9 12.7 8.4 5.9 5.3 4.6 4.9
Private 10.5 6.6 8.8 12.5 12.5 12.7 13.0
Gross Doms. sav'gs 2.9 6.0 7.1 7.5 7.9 4.9 5.6
Gross Nat. sav'gs 10.0 12.6 13.5 15.3 13.5 12.7 15.3
Governments 8.0 8.2 8.4 9.3 7.1 7.6 9.5
Private 2.0 4.4 5.1 6.1 6.4 5.1 5.8
Source: The Gambian authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections.
Have a good day, Gassa.
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