Avellon Williams
HAVANA, CUBA- Gambian ambassador to Cuba H.E. Dr. Kujejatou K.B. Manneh emphasized the importance of Expocaribe 2022 for trade and cooperation with her country and other African countries.
After describing the event that ended in Cuba on Sunday, and after learning about the possibilities for foreign trade and foreign investment in the eastern region, the production and export of medicines, the advantages of multi-destination tourism, and Cuba’s strength in the face of climate change, she said she would return to Cuba in June 2023.
The event is of great importance to Gambia, whose population is made up of 60% young creatives and innovators because they could find a safe market for their products in the Caribbean, as well as its geographical location on the Atlantic Ocean, she told Cuban News Agency (ACN).
According to her, the eastern zone has the potential to export goods and services to benefit both regions of the world, as well as to attract foreign investment, particularly in multi-destination tourism, which requires efficient maritime transport, which is why it is planned that the holder of the African country’s branch will visit the island to finalize common projects.
Considering the experience of the largest of the Antilles in the biopharmaceutical sector, the diplomat expressed interest in the field. He pointed out that the US economic, commercial and financial blockade makes it difficult for Cuba to access the international market for raw materials necessary for these productions.
As a result of the Fair, she will render a report to her government regarding what was witnessed, which will also be presented to the African Union (AU), due to the importance of strengthening the link with the Caribbean and the promotion of South-South cooperation.
In this regard, she hinted at her intention to sign a memorandum with Oriente University, located in this city, to promote agriculture in the province, and then to extend it to others in the region, such as Havana high studies house.
In addition to praising the archipelago’s preparations for natural disasters – the subject of another panel at Expocaribe 2022 -, she emphasized the island’s ability to prevent and recover after natural disasters and stressed that her country should exchange information about creating conditions to deal with long periods of drought, one of its main challenges.
On May 19th, 1979, Cuba established diplomatic relations with Gambia, whose relationship is strengthened by the presence of Caribbean health professionals in the African nation, who help to take care of its citizens and train its specialists at Banjul University.
Furthermore, Gambian support is provided to the largest of the Antilles in various international matters, as well as in the fight to end a 60-year-old economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States.
