By Binta Barry-Gaye
Tao Zhang, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended President Adama Barrow on his administration’s commitment to transparency, strong governance and the rule of law, which has helped to improve the business climate and boost investor confidence.
Ending his visit country, he encouraged continued progress with the constitutional and judicial review process, the transitional justice reform agenda.
He emphasized the need to publish the Commission of Inquiry set up by President Adama Barrow to probe into the financial dealings of his predecessor Yahya Jammeh, and his close associates from July 1994 to January 2017, known as the Janneh Commission’s report expeditiously, to accelerate the recovery of stolen assets.
“In my talks with the Gambian authorities, I welcomed the credible turnaround in macroeconomic performance and the great strides toward fiscal probity.
I also encouraged the authorities to consolidate these gains through strengthened revenue mobilization, improved Treasury management, and expenditure prioritization and restraint,” he said.
He explained that creditor assurances of debt relief, continued fiscal prudence, and commitment to the reform of state-owned enterprises would be needed to transition to an IMF financial arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility.
According to him, Senegambia Bridge, connecting the northern and southern parts of The Gambia and Senegal and a vital link opening-up the sub region to the Cairo-Lagos trade corridor.
He pointed out that he was impressed by organisation for the Visually Impaired which aims to train and integrate the visually impaired into Gambian Society.
He added that the determination and resilience of the organization’s members, is a symbol of the strength of The Gambia and its aspiration to prosperity.
“The IMF stands ready to continue assisting the Gambian authorities to achieve their national objectives.” he concluded.
