Thursday, August 05, 2010
A high-powered
delegation of investors from the Al-Sultanah International Holding Limited, an
Omani-based firm, Wednesday arrived The Gambia for a second visit aimed at
finalising agreements for potential investment in various
areas.
The delegation, led by the chairman of the firm, Zakariya
Al Ghassani, was received on arrival at the Banjul International Airport, by
Gambian officials headed by Ebrima JT Kujabi, the country's ambassador-at-large,
on behalf of the government. "This is our second visit to The Gambia. We came
first to the country before and of course we were happy to meet the officials
and discuss several issues in terms of cooperation between Oman and The Gambia,
and our group for investment in the country. Now we are here to follow-up on the
first visit and indeed carrying a lot of ideas especially in the aviation
sector, oil and alternative energy," Al Ghassani told this reporter in an
interview shortly after they landed at the airport.
He described this
visit as a very important one for them as they intend to execute the plans they
had agreed on during their previous visit. "We are here also to find out how to
put the main lines for cooperation between groups, companies, the investors, the
expertise and their counterparts in The Gambia," he stated. While commending
President Jammeh for what he called his understanding, kindness, and for
inviting them to The Gambia, the Omani investor hailed The Gambia's investment
climate. He specifically pointed out the country's strategic location, and its
peaceful nature as sources of attraction for potential investors.
He
then expressed hope that more areas of investment would be explored when they
visit again in September.Dr Suhayb Saran, another member of the delegation, and
vice chairman of the firm, said: "This visit is more than a finalisation process
and it is time to proceed and take action practically to start the work." He
disclosed that they want to invest in three specific areas out of the five
agreed upon during their first visit, notably aviation; oil exploration; and
alternative energy supply and other clean energies.
Also speaking to this
reporter, Ambassador Ebrima JT Kujabi, who also stood in for Gambia's ambassador
to Qatar, Ansumana Jammeh, described the Omani firm delegation's second visit as
very important. "They are potential investors who are determined to invest in
our dear motherland. It is significant in the sense that they are interested to
invest in the energy, and so on," Ambassador Kujabi said. He opined that
successful investment in the aforementioned areas would greatly increase the
socio-economic development of the country, as well as creating job
opportunities, notably among the youth folk.
"His Excellency the
president of the Republic is aware of their visit and he has set up a taskforce
that would work hand-in-hand with the delegation to make sure that all what they
want come true," he revealed, while expressing hope that the visit would be
fruitful. The Gambia's ambassador-at-large concluded by commending Ambassador
Jammeh for his efforts in facilitating the trip.
Fast becoming an investment hub
The visit of
the Omani investors came hard on the heels of previous visits to the country by
different potential investors from across the world. The most recent investors
included those who came from the United States of America, the Gulf Emirate of
Qatar, and Ukraine, amongst a host of others.
Author: by Hatab Fadera